01/02/2023

"Would I call him back if he was wired to come back to a French team? Exactly" - Arkéa Samsic keen on signing Julian Alaphilippe

After some recent public critics of Soudal-Quick-Step boss Patrick Lefevere about his former World Champion and team star Julian Alaphilippe there are some doubts surrounding the continuation of the Frenchman in the Belgium team.

And recently for Sporza, Arkéa-Samsic team manager Emmanuel Hubert reveled that the team is giving a close eye to him.

"Why not, after he is under contract until 2024. I am very interested in Julian because on the one hand he is a very, very nice guy. On top of that, he came here at home. He is a double world champion and has worn the yellow jersey several times in the Tour de France in a memorable and remarkable way. Would I call him back if he was wired to come back to a French team? Exactly", stated the Arkea-Samsic manager.

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Julian Alaphilippe on the other hand tried to cool things down, stating on a press conference that he has a good relationship with Lefevere. And he is comfortable with the team and motivated to do a great season with the team's colors.

"My relationship with Patrick Lefevere has always been the same, since my first year in the team until now. We've always been transparent with each other, we've always had a good dialogue, when things were going well, when things weren't going well. The statements he may have made won't affect my way of working and my motivation for the season. I'm in a great state of mind, very happy to start the season and a great motivation for what's to come", Alaphilippe stated in a recent interview.

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The popular French rider also revealed his goals for the season and a Tour de France general classification won't be one of them. Still he aims to do a good Tour de France and possibly win some stages.

"The general classification? I don't think so. But of course, the Tour de France will be a very important race as it is every year for the team, but also for me after having missed it last season. After the Flanders Classics, my biggest objective will be to do a good Tour de France. With a lot of stages that I will go to recognize. A great motivation to be back on the roads of the Tour, like every year", he revealed.