Julian Alaphilippe extends contract with Deceuninck - Quick-Step
The reigning world champion has spent his entire pro career with the squad
Julian Alaphilippe has extended his contract with Deceuninck - Quick-Step.
The French superstar has spent his entire career with the team run by Patrick Lefevere, and has signed a new three-year deal with the squad.
Alaphilippe, the reigning world champion, has developed into one of the most exciting all-rounders in the world during his time with the Belgian WorldTour outfit, winning the rainbow jersey, Milan-San Remo, and wearing the yellow jersey in the Tour de France.
On his new contract, the 28-year-old said: “It was the logical thing to do, and at no moment there was the question of doing anything different. I look forward to continuing with this family and I want to say thank you to Patrick and the sponsors for the confidence they have shown in these eight years and continue to show.
“It’s incredible to think of what we achieved together and all the beautiful memories we have. We are the Wolfpack and we race to win. It’s our mentality and one of our strengths, we all go in the same direction, and this is one of the reasons I feel good here and do what I do with immense pleasure. I am looking forward to more great results with Deceuninck – Quick-Step this season and in the coming years.”
Alaphilippe signed with the team in 2014, having impressed with a stage win in the 2013 Tour de l’Avenir.
Since then he has racked up 34 pro wins in the biggest races on the calendar.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Alaphilippe will now remain with the team until the end of the 2024 season.
Deceuninck - Quick-Step CEO Lefevere said: “He joined the team as a fresh-faced 21-year-old, and while we knew that he had talent and ability, to see him grow into the stature within the sport that he has today, makes us very proud. He has achieved so much in that time that it is difficult to begin to list everything, but perhaps the most iconic are the beautiful jerseys that he has held.
“He really caught the public’s attention when he won in the mountains jersey at the 2018 Tour de France, and then having yellow for so long in 2019 and having it again in 2020 was a bit of a fairy tale. And he followed that up last September, with his unforgettable solo win in Imola to take the world champion’s rainbow jersey, which was very emotional for all of us.”
>>> Tom Pidcock: ‘Wout van Aert was pulling super hard, maybe too hard in the end’
Lefevere added: “We have seen him grow as a rider but also as a person. People gravitate to him because he has the personality of a leader but also of a fantastic teammate, working hard for the whole team – we saw recently at the Ronde van Vlaanderen just how much Kasper [Asgreen’s] victory meant to him. He is a true Wolfpack member that embodies the spirit of everything we are trying to create and achieve and I am very happy that he will be with us for what we hope will be three more beautiful years."
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
Alex Ballinger is editor of BikeBiz magazine, the leading publication for the UK cycle industry, and is the former digital news editor for CyclingWeekly.com. After gaining experience in local newsrooms, national newspapers and in digital journalism, Alex found his calling in cycling, first as a reporter, then as news editor responsible for Cycling Weekly's online news output, and now as the editor of BikeBiz. Since pro cycling first captured his heart during the 2010 Tour de France (specifically the Contador-Schleck battle) Alex covered three Tours de France, multiple editions of the Tour of Britain, and the World Championships, while both writing and video presenting for Cycling Weekly. He also specialises in fitness writing, often throwing himself into the deep end to help readers improve their own power numbers. Away from the desk, Alex can be found racing time trials, riding BMX and mountain bikes, or exploring off-road on his gravel bike. He’s also an avid gamer, and can usually be found buried in an eclectic selection of books.
-
Coach's view: Does cycle commuting really count as training?
How to make sure you're getting the most out of your two-wheeled trip to work
By James Shrubsall Published
-
Ditching the power meter is getting me results, says Alex Dowsett
Ex-WorldTour pro enjoying better pacing and a 'nicer time' after winning two out of two TTs this season
By James Shrubsall 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
-
'I don't know if I'll be at this team or in cycling next year': Julian Alaphilippe on the Giro d'Italia, finding his form, and his relationship with Patrick Lefevere
Frenchman will focus on the Classics and then the Giro d'Italia in his contract year at Quick-Step
By Adam Becket Published
-
Glasgow World Championships 2023: Eight riders to watch in the elite men's road race
Remco Evenepoel gets set to defend the title he won in Wollongong, Australia last year
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
‘I surprised myself’ - Julian Alaphilippe back to winning ways on stage two of Critérium du Dauphiné
Former world champion rediscovers form ahead of the Tour de France
By Tom Davidson Published
-
21 things you didn't know about Julian Alaphilippe
From his cyclo-cross beginnings to his favourite film genre
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Tadej Pogačar to ride Amstel Gold Race and Flèche Wallonne, Julian Alaphilippe ruled out due to injury
Frenchman also a doubt for Liège-Bastogne-Liège due to knee problem picked up at Tour of Flanders
By Adam Becket Published
-
'All the pressure was on him': Philippe Gilbert impressed by Kasper Asgreen’s form ahead of Paris-Roubaix
Danish rider finished seventh for Soudal Quick-Step after Patrick Lefevere called for riders to ‘save team’s honour’
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Five dark horses for the men's Tour of Flanders 2023
Outside bets who could spring a surprise in 'De Ronde'
By Tom Thewlis Published