Julian Alaphilippe at the 2018 World Championships (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Julian Alaphilippe has been given the leadership of the French national squad for the upcoming Yorkshire World Championships, with the goal of returning the rainbow bands to France for the first time since Laurent Brochard in San Sebastián in 1997.
After an outstanding early 2019 that saw the Deceuninck - Quick-Step rider victorious at Strade Bianche, Milan-San Remo and La Flèche Wallonne, Alaphilippe also captured the hearts and minds of the home nation at the Tour de France, winning two stages and wearing the yellow jersey for 14 days before finishing fifth overall.
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
-
Classics legends uncovered: What it takes to dominate one-day racesDissecting the anatomy of a Classics legend, Chris Marshall-Bell examines the physiology, racecraft and team dynamics that culminate in one-day domination
-
3D printed saddles made just for you—does your rear require one? A review of Posedla’s Joyseat 2.0Custom down to the name imprinted in the saddle. Posedla makes an impressively well-designed, high-quality product. But is it worth the price tag?
-
Latvia protest against Mathieu van der Poel's World Championships result, saying he 'endangered spectators'Latvian Cycling Federation calls on UCI to explain decision not to disqualify Dutchman who mounted pavement
-
'I was pushing but I couldn't feel my legs' - GB's Oscar Onley on his breakout World Championships rideThe 21-year-old was the youngest man in the top-20 in Zürich and matched some of the big guns on his way to 16th
-
'It was a stupid move, but it worked' - Tadej Pogačar on his history-making World Championships rideWelcome to the Pogačar era, where the Slovenian can attack from 100km to the line and still win. It's just starting.
-
'Crazy', 'not normal', 'another level' - Peloton reacts to another Tadej Pogačar solo masterclass at World ChampionshipsThe win was not unexpected, but the way it happened might have been, as the Slovenian soloed to historic victory
-
Tadej Pogačar completes stunning Triple Crown with 51km solo to maiden rainbow jerseySlovenian caps off imperious year with victory at the World Championships road race in Zurich
-
'Everyone wants to win, sometimes that means everyone wants to lose' - Dutch attack, attack, and attack, but end up with fifth after confusing World Championships road raceDemi Vollering staked everything on trying to win the rainbow bands, but it wasn't to be. Was there a better way?
-
Lotte Kopecky has 'perfect day' as she sprints to Worlds glory againBelgian becomes seventh woman to defend the rainbow bands on tough day on the roads of Zürich
-
'In a sprint with Kopecky, that’s probably the best I can do' - Chloé Dygert content with silver in World Championships road raceThe American took the best result for her country since 1991 in the road race, capping off great year for USA women's cycling
