The Summer Olympics always pose an interesting dilemma for the cycling community: do you skip the Tour de France and sacrifice a chance at a stage win to root for your team and pursue Olympic glory? or There is a risk of showing up to the start line in Paris tired and waiting for a break, and for Soudal-QuickStep's Julian Alaphilippe, it is more important to be fully focused on the Paris Olympics than to push for his team-mate and Tour de France favourite Remco Evenepoel.
Controversial team boss Patrick Lefebvre told the French press: L'Equipe He said he knows Alaphilippe has ambitions of chasing Olympic gold for his country this season so he has no intention of forcing him to race the Tour de France.
Alaphilippe is already preparing for this, taking part in the Giro d'Italia for the first time in his career and intends to arrive in Paris in top physical condition. The Frenchman performed well in the Giro, winning a stage and finishing on the podium, and finishing fourth in the points race. The stage win cemented his legendary status in cycling, and he has now won a stage in every Grand Tour.
Alaphilippe is also a two-time world champion and, at 31, appears to be approaching the end of his professional career. L'Equipe This will probably be Alaphilippe's last Olympics. “I hear Julian already has Paris in mind and this might be his last chance to experience an Olympic Games, especially on a national level,” Lefebvre said. “Why take that away from him?”
However, his teammates do not seem happy with his decision. Alaphilippe's focus on the Olympics could prove disastrous for Evenepoel, who has been named as one of the few riders with a chance to challenge the seemingly unstoppable Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) for the overall win. Alaphilippe is not the only Soudal-QuickStep racer who could help Evenepoel pursue a stage win, but he would arguably be Evenepoel's biggest helper.
The Olympics are often emblematic of athletes' conflicting loyalties, both during and before the race. Teammates versus countrymen: do you do what's best for your professional team or your country? Alaphilippe told Lefebvre that he'd do the Tour if forced to, but wouldn't want to if he could – and his team manager doesn't seem keen to press the issue.
“He assured me that we are his employer and therefore he will abide by our decision, but I cannot imagine for a second forcing him into a starting position. We wouldn't do that for anyone,” Lefebvre said. L'Equipe.
Molly writes about cycling, nutrition and training, with a particular focus on getting women more involved in the sport. She is the author of nine books, including Shred Girls She is the author of the series and founder of Strong Girl Publishing. She co-hosts The Consummate Athlete Podcast and spends most of her free time biking and running on trails, sometimes with her mini dachshund.
