Julian Alaphilippe does his best Thomas Voeckler impression (video)
Wagging his tongue and wobbling his head - Julian Alaphilippe imitates Thomas Voeckler in the breakaway on stage 16

The future of French cycling was paying homage to a legend of recent French cycling in the breakaway on stage 16 of the Tour de France.
Julian Alaphilippe (Etixx-Quick Step), who has impressed greatly with his performances in the Classics and stage races in the past two years, imitated Thomas Voeckler (Direct Energie) while riding out the front with his teammate Tony Martin.
The eccentric Voeckler is known for his animated riding style, which Alaphilippe mimicked while trying to hold Martin's relentless pace in the break - sticking his tongue out and wobbling his head like the 37-year-old does.
Alaphilippe dug into the impressions box on stage 15 as well, getting the full Voeckler head wobble on while riding alongside Tom Dumoulin (Giant-Alpecin) in the breakaway.
There are worse people for Alaphilippe to look up to than Voeckler - the 2012 King of the Mountains at the Tour, who wore yellow for nine stages in 2011 on his way to fourth overall.
Thank you for reading 5 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
Stuart Clarke is a News Associates trained journalist who has worked for the likes of the British Olympic Associate, British Rowing and the England and Wales Cricket Board, and of course Cycling Weekly. His work at Cycling Weekly has focused upon professional racing, following the World Tour races and its characters.
-
-
The general classification just got even tighter: Five talking points from stage 16 of the Giro d'Italia 2022
There was climbing, climbing, and more climbing on Tuesday
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Wider S-Works Torch replaces popular Specialized shoes - and our tech writers had very different first impressions
Wider, lighter, more comfortable and better looking - here's the story behind the development of the S-Works Torch plus our first ride impressions
By Simon Smythe • Published
-
Mark Cavendish wants to continue for 'at least' two more years
Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl sprinter turns 37 this weekend
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Fabio Jakobsen on aiming for the Tour de France, lawsuit against Groenewegen and supporting Cavendish
The Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl rider showed he is back to being one of the fastest sprinters around at the Vuelta a España
By Tim Bonville-Ginn • Published
-
'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
By Tim Bonville-Ginn • Published
-
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
By Tim Bonville-Ginn • Published
-
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
By Tim Bonville-Ginn • Published
-
Sam Bennett makes return to Deceuninck - Quick-Step squad in Belgian one-day race
The Irish sprinter has fallen out with management, recently racing the European Championships without consulting with the team
By Alex Ballinger • Published
-
Mark Cavendish explains mid-race frustration to viewers during Tour of Britain breakaway
The 'Manx Missile' became frustrated with the motorbikes helping two riders the break had deliberately dropped
By Tim Bonville-Ginn • Published
-
'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
By Tim Bonville-Ginn • Published