'It's just a dream': Julian Alaphilippe overcome with emotion as he becomes world champion
The Frenchman won with a trademark attack on the final climb to become the new wearer of the rainbow bands
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

While Mads Pedersen became a well-liked custodian of the rainbow bands after his shock victory at Yorkshire 2019, Julian Alaphilippe is a rider who looks like the rainbow jersey was made especially for him.
You'll be hard-pressed to find anyone who begrudges him the victory either, the Frenchman unable to wear his heart anywhere but his sleeve, attacking with his trademark guile to leave rivals huffing his exhaust fumes all the way to the finish line on the Imola race track.
"For the moment it's really hard to say something, I just want to say thank you to all my team-mates who really believed in me today," Alaphilippe said after the finish line, the French team having shepherded him through a gruelling 250km circuit in Italy.
As the realisation of his achievement dawned on the Deceuninck - Quick-Step rider on the approach to the finish, the emotion came pouring out. His teeth usually bared in a snarl when attacking a bike race now became visible as his lip trembled and he looked up towards the sky.
>>> Julian Alaphilippe the new world champion after sensational road race victory at Imola 2020
His father Jacques passed away three months ago, the son already dedicated his stage two Tour de France victory to his dad at the end of August as he pulled on the yellow jersey.
At the French Grand Tour Alaphilippe had seemed weary, weighed down by the expectation of a nation and having been cooped up indoors during lockdown, a task not dissimilar to keeping a class of primary school children orderly during wet play on an overcast day.
Whatever the reason, Alaphilippe was not the same rider of 12 months ago. Despite the race lead leaving the Frenchman prematurely after an irregular feed saw him docked seconds, he had not looked himself, trying to force proceedings at his home Grand Tour to little avail, much to everyone's surprise.
His exploits so far in his career mean he will never be underestimated whichever start line he turns up at, but much of the pre-race chatter circled around Wout van Aert. But when he hit out with 17km to go on the final climb, the Alaphilippe of old was back and there was little doubt he would cross the finish line first.
"It was a dream of my career, you know," Alaphilippe continued. "Already some times I was so close and finally...I've never even been on the podium."
8th in Austria in 2018 and 10th in Norway in 2017, Alaphilippe rarely has to wait to take what he wants in bike racing, but finally, the world champion's jersey is his.
"I came here with a lot of ambition and I just...it's just a dream day for me."
On the podium, Alaphilippe sobbed as the French national anthem blared out. LouLou-mania is only just beginning.
Thank you for reading 10 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Hi. I'm Cycling Weekly's Weekend Editor. I like writing offbeat features and eating too much bread when working out on the road at bike races.
Before joining Cycling Weekly I worked at The Tab and I've also written for Vice, Time Out, and worked freelance for The Telegraph (I know, but I needed the money at the time so let me live).
I also worked for ITV Cycling between 2011-2018 on their Tour de France and Vuelta a España coverage. Sometimes I'd be helping the producers make the programme and other times I'd be getting the lunches. Just in case you were wondering - Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen had the same ham sandwich every day, it was great.
-
-
Adrie van der Poel reveals banter exchanged with Mathieu before CX World Championships
Van der Poel senior says that his sons cyclo-cross season has been ‘perfect’ preparation for a strong start to the cobbled classics
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
'They come to my country and kill kids': UCI's decision to allow Russian riders at World Championships draws passionate reaction
There has been a mixed response to the UCI's decision to allow Russian and Belarusian riders the opportunity to return to the international stage.
By Chris Marshall-Bell • Published
-
Milan-San Remo winner Matej Mohorič: 'Tom Pidcock is a better descender than me'
Slovenian plays down his own descending skills as he reflects on 2022 Milan-San Remo victory
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Julian Alaphilippe: ‘I want to be 100% for the Tour of Flanders’
The Frenchman has said the Monument is his “big goal” for next season.
By Tom Davidson • Published
-
Annemiek van Vleuten to target Vuelta-Tour-Giro treble again next season
The Dutchwoman plans to retire at the end of 2023
By Tom Davidson • Published
-
Remco Evenepoel should ignore Ineos Grenadiers' overtures and stay put at Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl
Interest from a Grand Tour winning machine like Ineos Grenadiers is flattering, but it's not sure to realise the World Champion’s massive potential
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Pogačar still reigns, and farewell to Valverde and Nibali: Five talking points from Il Lombardia
The final WorldTour race of the season saw Enric Mas come close once again, and Julian Alaphilippe disappoint
By Stephen Puddicombe • Published
-
11 of the best photos from the 2022 Road World Championships
There were tears, hugs and kisses in Wollongong, Australia
By Tom Davidson • Last updated
-
Remco Evenepoel goes long to win the men's World Championships road race solo after stinging attack
The young Belgian was clearly the strongest on the day, but others need to ask themselves how and why they let him go
By Jack Elton-Walters • Last updated
-
Annemiek van Vleuten soars to victory in World Championships road race despite broken elbow
The Dutch rider took the second road world title of her career with late attack
By Tom Davidson • Last updated