Julian Alaphilippe crashes out of the Tour of Flanders 2020
The Frenchman crashed into the back of a motorbike with 35km to go
Julian Alaphilippe has crashed out of the Tour of Flanders after colliding with a motorbike.
The Frenchman had been part of a move at the front of the race alongside favourites Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Fenix) and Wout van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) before he suffered a nasty fall.
Trying to make their move stick, the trio were relaying with 35km to go, Wout van Aert using the slipstream of a motorbike which was then slowing on the right side of the road. Van Aert pulled out to move around it, Van der Poel having less time to see it and quickly moving out of the way leaving Alaphilippe with little chance to take evasive action and riding straight into the back of it.
The Deceuninck - Quick-Step rider went head over heels, his bike flying into the air, as he hit the deck, then screaming out in pain as medics rushed over to treat him.
He remained on the floor while receiving treatment, gingerly holding his wrist and arm, as Van der Poel and Van Aert continued to extend their gap to the chasing group.
After the day's breakaway had been caught, Alaphilippe was one of the main instigators in bringing the race to life, before his move alongside Van der Poel and Van Aert looked to have stuck.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Thank you for reading 20 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.
-
Buying a saddle online without a fit is a risky move — here's how to find the best perch for you
Getting your saddle right makes all the difference, we spoke to an expert to help guide you in the process
By Rob Kemp Published
-
Guava Spot Force AXS review: the Catalan gravel bike that loves tarmac too
It just doesn’t deal with fast asphalt, rocky terrain, sandy stretches and damp conditions, but it excels across them. It’s fast, aggressive, nimble, stable, and above all compliant.
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published
-
Tom Pidcock to go head-to-head with Remco Evenepoel at upcoming Tour of Britain Men
Pidcock to ride six-day race for Ineos Grenadiers
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Remco Evenepoel and Julian Alaphilippe confirmed for Tour of Britain Men
Double Olympic champion and Alaphilippe headline Soudal Quick-Step team selection
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
21 things you didn't know about Julian Alaphilippe
From his cyclo-cross beginnings to his favourite film genre
By Tom Davidson Published
-
The race within a race and Pogačar domination - 5 things we learned from the second week of the Giro d’Italia
Our takeaways from the second week of racing as Tadej Pogačar masterclass continues
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'I didn't plan it': Julian Alaphilippe bounces back with epic Giro d'Italia win
Giro stage victory in Fano sees former two time road world champion become 108th man to win stages in all three Grand Tours
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Julian Alaphilippe storms to victory on stage 12 of Giro d'Italia as Pogačar keeps overall lead
Alaphilippe wins enthralling stage in Fano after long day in two-man breakaway with Mirco Maestri
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
5 things we learned from the first week of the 2024 Giro d’Italia
The Italian Grand Tour is firmly underway and Tadej Pogačar is in the pink jersey. Here are our takeaways from the first week of action
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Julian Alaphilippe claims to have raced 11 times this spring with a broken knee
The Frenchman still managed to finish ninth at Milan-San Remo, miraculously
By Adam Becket Published