Julian Alaphilippe has apologised to his rivals after his dangerous sprint in the final of Liège-Bastogne-Liège.
The newly-crowned world champion suffered a disaster finish to the Belgian Monument when he almost caused a crash when launching his sprint, and then lost the race by celebrating too early.
Alaphilippe has apologised to Marc Hirschi (Sunweb) and Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates), who were forced to swerve to avoid the Deceuninck - Quick-Step rider, and added that the move wasn’t deliberate.
The 28-year-old said: “I felt good today, wanted to do a nice race and had a very strong team around me, who did a great job, protecting me the entire day. Then I attacked on the steepest part of Roche-aux-Faucons, made a selection there and opened a gap together with the other guys. We worked well together, kept our advantage over the chasers and I felt confident going into the final kilometre."
He added: “I started my sprint at 200 meters to go, but then I made that mistake, for which I take full responsibility. I am aware that my swerve caused a problem to the other riders and I apologise for that, but I want to underline that I didn’t do it on purpose. I accept the jury’s decision and all I can do now is focus on the next races.”
After the dangerous move, Alaphilippe was clear at the front of the race and raised his hands in anticipation of his victory, oblivious to the fact that Primož Roglič (Jumbo-Visma) was continuing to surge from behind. Roglič then passed Alaphilippe right at the line, denying the Frenchman the win.
>>> Peter Sagan gets lost after Giro d’Italia stage and is towed to hotel by fans
After the finish, the race commissiares then announced that Alaphilippe had been relegated to last place in the lead group, stripping him of his podium place and putting him in fifth instead.
Hirschi was promoted to second place, with Pogačar third.
-
-
Daredevil trial biker springs out of helicopter onto Cyclocross World Championships track
Kenny Belaey jumped out of the aircraft to welcome in the cyclocross event, which starts on Saturday 29 January
-
New Bryton Rider S500 computer with Google voice search targets the big two
Latest head unit from the Taiwanese brand has been developed in the WorldTour, is feature packed and looks every bit the match of the more established computers
-
Six Of The Best Women's WorldTour races of 2021
It’s been another fabulous year of women’s racing, most which we have been able to watch, here are our six favourites
-
'I don’t want to end my time with the regret of not ever trying': Julian Alaphilippe wants to try and win Tour de France before retiring
The double world champion will focus on the Classics in 2022 but still has an eye on the French Grand Tour
-
Julian Alaphilippe reluctant to only focus on Tour de France in 2022: 'Sacrificing everything to aim for the Tour, I don't want to'
The Frenchman can't only focus on the Tour de France when he also dreams of winning Monument races as well
-
Julian Alaphilippe and Remco Evenepoel share their thoughts ahead of Il Lombardia 2021
The two Deceuninck - Quick-Step riders come into the final Monument of the year as two of the main favourites
-
Julian Alaphilippe says losing the rainbow jersey would have been 'a certain form of relief'
The French star stormed to an amazing second world title in a row on the roads of Leuven
-
Thomas Voeckler: 'We wanted to attack earlier than everyone else at Worlds so they would think we were idiots'
French boss happily accepts fine for coaching Julian Alaphilippe when it wasn't permitted
-
'Not much is missing': Julian Alaphilippe says he's close to peak fitness for World Championship defence
The current world champion put in an incredible effort on the Great Orme at the Tour of Britain
-
Julian Alaphilippe confirmed to ride Tour of Britain 2021
The world champion returns for the first time since he won the race in 2018
