Julian Alaphilippe ruled out of Tour de France after surgery for knee injury
Quick-Step Floors rider off the bike for at least a month
Home favourite Julian Alaphilippe (Quick-Step Floors) has been ruled out of the Tour de France after undergoing surgery on a knee injury.
After wearing the yellow jersey at Paris-Nice, the 24-year-old Frenchman had already been forced to miss the Ardennes Classics with a knee injury which he sustained at the Tour of the Basque Country, and now faces a much longer lay-off than had initially been expected.
>>> Mark Cavendish still in doubt for Tour de France, but team 'hopeful' he can recover in time
Alaphilippe underwent surgery on the injury in Belgium today, and will need two weeks of complete rest before beginning rehabilitation, and an additional two weeks before he is allowed to ride.
Watch: Tour de France 2017 essential guide
"I can't tell you how sad I am, there's really no words," Alaphilippe said.
"The Tour de France was my primary goal of the year, and to miss it, after previously being forced to skip the Ardennes Classic, it's very disappointing.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
"Now my focus is on making a full recovery and arriving in a good condition for the second part of the year. Fortunately, the season is still long and I hope to bounce back."
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
Henry Robertshaw began his time at Cycling Weekly working with the tech team, writing reviews, buying guides and appearing in videos advising on how to dress for the seasons. He later moved over to the news team, where his work focused on the professional peloton as well as legislation and provision for cycling. He's since moved his career in a new direction, with a role at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
-
Why are my tubeless tyres leaking?
Tubeless tyres have their benefits but if yours are repeatedly losing air here are the reasons and, vitally, the fixes
By Luke Friend Published
-
Remco Evenepoel collaborates with Belgian Post to launch 'Remco Reflex' safety initiative after being doored by post vehicle
Double Olympic champion required surgery after suffering a luxation of the clavicle, contusions on his lungs, a fractured rib, shoulder blade and hand in the collision last Tuesday
By Tom Thewlis 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 Last updated
-
'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