Julian Alaphilippe has unveiled his new world champion's jersey as well as a custom rainbow Specialized Tarmac SL7.
The Frenchman rode to a stunning victory in Imola, and will now debut his rainbow jersey at Liège-Bastogne-Liège, a Monument currently missing from Alaphilippe's palmarès and a race he set his sights on at the beginning of the season.
The 28-year-old showed his new kit off for the first time on a recon of the final 65km of the Classic, testing out the climbs that end the race, including the Côte du Rosier and the Côte de la Redoute, alongside team-mates including Bob Jungels, Dries Devenyns and Mauri Vansevenant, the youngster who impressed at Flèche Wallonne with his breakaway exploits.
Julian Alaphilippe training at Liège-Bastogne Liège 2020 (Wout Beel/Deceuninck - Quick-Step)
(Image credit: WOUT BEEL)
"I was really excited to join the team for the first time since my win at the World Championships and to see my team-mates again," Alaphilippe said. "It was a nice ride, made even more enjoyable by the fans on La Redoute, who applauded me. I am looking forward to Sunday and to my first race as World Champion when I’ll be prepared to give it my all for a good result."
Julian Alaphilippe's new rainbow bike at Liège-Bastogne Liège 2020 (Wout Beel/Deceuninck - Quick-Step)
(Image credit: WOUT BEEL)
As well as his jersey, Specialized have kitted him out with a custom rainbow-painted Tarmac SL7, finished off with a rainbow helmet too.
"To have this bike waiting for me was a truly beautiful surprise," Alaphilippe added. "It’s a pleasure to receive this gem here at the hotel and know that it will be mine for a whole year, during which I intend to show it at the front of the races as much as possible."
It seems Alaphilippe's appetite for winning hasn't been sated by his Worlds win but he will face stiff competition at Liège from Flèche Wallonne winner Marc Hirschi (Sunweb), Michael Woods (EF Pro Cycling), Michał Kwiatkowski (Ineos) and Tour de France victor Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates).
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After Liège, the world champion will line up at Brabantse Pijl on Wednesday before heading to the Tour of Flanders on October 18th.
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Jonny was Cycling Weekly's Weekend Editor until 2022.
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.
