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.
Martin est lancé, Alaphilippe lui-même est surpris ! / Alaphilippe impressed by Martin's work! #TDF2016https://t.co/eqJEzD3lGR
— Le Tour de France (@LeTour) July 18, 2016
Julian Alaphilippe running through entire range of Thomas Voeckler impressions in the break. Tony Martin laughing away. #TDF2016 #bbccycling
— Rob Hatch (@robhatchtv) July 18, 2016
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.
Did Alaphilippe just imitate Voeckler? #TDF #letour #2tdf pic.twitter.com/gXvRnI9ABK
— Geir M. Økland (@gekke82) July 17, 2016
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.
