From Leuven to Leuven, Julian Alaphilippe he returned to the race just yesterday where a year ago (11 months to be precise) he won his second world title. A sign of destiny? Perhaps…
Perhaps this is where “Loulou” will be able to finally kick off his 2022 season. A season that hasn't quite taken off so far. We saw him struggle (but fight like a lion) at Tirreno. We saw him "destroy" at Liège. He bounced back this summer, only to be stopped again by Covid at Wallonie.
Let 2022 begin!
Finally, everything seems to be back on track. Alahilippe should be back to normal. He knows he's wasted a lot of time, but... He also knows that there is room to recover and to seal a great end to the season, perhaps crowned by a hat-trick of world titles.
"Of course," Alaphilippe said, "winning the World Cup hat-trick is a goal and a thought, but the priority is regaining my health."
Julian is realistic. Yesterday he finished his race in 56th place, almost 2 minutes behind Victor Campenaerts, but what matters are his feelings and what he can do.
He will run a lot to find his best condition, his “one hundred percent”, as Julian explains: «This is the real goal, because I know that when I'm at my best I can have great days."
The world champion will then race in the Tour de l'Ain (9-11 August), the Vuelta and then the world championships and all the end-of-year classics.
"I'm very happy to be back racing," Alaphilippe said, "especially in Leuven, where I have so many memories. I didn't know where I was in terms of my condition. I spent a few days without training and in the last week I only did endurance work.".
That's why his schedule includes several races. Finding a rhythm is crucial right now, especially for someone like him who makes brilliance his weapon.
From the stars to the stables
At Wallonie, the return of the rider of the Quick Step- Alpha Vinyl It had been excellent. After his controversial exclusion from the Tour (according to Lefevere, he offered no guarantee of endurance, ed.), Alaphilippe had immediately sealed a victory. But when things don't work out... they don't work out.
«I was happy – says Alaphilippe – It seemed like everything was okay, the feeling was good. Then the next day I was completely at a standstill.I had really bad feelings and had to leave the race due to Covid.
"The symptoms went away quickly, but I still feel a bit tired. My morale is good, though. I just hope bad luck leaves me alone!"
And all in all, this has been Alaphilippe's first difficult season. True, he hadn't done much last year until the World Championships, but at least he raced. This year, however, it finds itself in late August with 28 days of competition (including yesterday). To give an idea of how much his colleagues have done, the average is 55-60 days of competition, with a peak of 78 of Alberto Dainese.
Morale and goals
And we must start again from the discussion of morale. A champion can be seen also, and above all, when he is in troubled watersHe manages not to lose his bearings, to keep the "course straight" and to re-emerge... And if possible stronger than before.
«This year I feel like I don't have much wind at my back – to stay in nautical terms – I haven't run much. Since the beginning of the season, things haven't gone the way I'd hoped. But I had no choice. That's how it is. You have to readjust. And so I look ahead and see that there are many races ahead: the Vuelta, the World Championships, the Giro di Lombardia.
«I know I'm not at the top, but like I said I'll try. And I'll be really happy if I have no regrets».
The debate is already open. A third world title seems increasingly suitable for a rider like Alaphilippe. Wollongong It's tough but fast. Maybe a little tougher than Leuven, but certainly less intriguing from a layout perspective. The narrow Belgian roads that helped him hide last fall, with their rhythm-breaking curves that Julian excelled at, won't be there in Australia.
So, the favorite? He may be, but as he himself says. first he has to find the best condition, to have one of his super days.
