Alaphilippe : chronique d'un rendez-vous manqué pour la France

Julian Alaphilippe, the best French cyclist of his generation, has never raced professionally in France. This fact speaks to both the linear trajectory of his career and the circuitous paths that some champions take. Due to being in the right team, Alaphilippe has never left it, not even to return to the adoring French public.

When it came time to court Alaphilippe, whom many assume will not be with Soudal-Quick Step next year as Patrick Lefevere reportedly did everything to terminate his contract in 2023, Cédric Vasseur made a mistake. « Return » is not quite the right word to use for the two-time world champion and France. Alaphilippe has never represented a French professional team.

Indeed, it took a few years for his first team, the Army Cycling Team, to become a professional squad. Alaphilippe saw them make the transition two years after he left for Etixx-Quick Step, the reserve team for one of the best teams at the time, in 2013. In a different era, his silver medal at the junior world cyclo-cross championship in 2010 might have opened more doors for him, including those in France.

In 2011, only one French team showed a real interest in Alaphilippe, Véranda Rideau Sarthe 72, which was set to turn professional for the 2012 season. One of their sporting directors at the time, Mickaël Leveau, approached Alaphilippe, which meant a lot to the young rider from Saint-Amand-Montrond. However, he was overlooked by other French teams, including the most prestigious ones. As the years went by and his performances improved, the interest from French teams became more significant, with AG2R-La Mondiale and Total Energies in its various incarnations inquiring about him at the end of his contracts.

But Alaphilippe found what he was looking for in the Quick-Step team. As a specialist in classics, he couldn’t have landed in a better place, while French teams might have wanted to turn him into a rider for the Tour de France. He became a prominent figure in July, secondary in the general classification but a fan favorite. However, he never wanted to be the rider aiming for victory in the world’s biggest race, as he lacked the physical abilities, mental resources, and desire. In that regard, 2019 was indeed a golden parenthesis but also a poisoned gift.

Were Alaphilippe’s earnings as a soon-to-be two-time world champion the reason he distanced himself from France? Absolutely not, according to those close to him. Comfortable and at home with Quick-Step, close to his teammates and the staff, including his cousin Franck, who became his trainer, did Alaphilippe want to start over in a different environment? Apparently not. Even though contact with some managers was never fully severed, discussions were never truly prolonged, including in 2023 when Patrick Lefevere made it clear that he would not retain Alaphilippe, who was still under contract.

So, what now? In 2025, it is likely that Alaphilippe’s destiny will be written elsewhere. This is why we saw Cédric Vasseur and Jean-René Bernaudeau discuss his potential move. « Julian needs a new challenge in his career, let’s not kid ourselves. I don’t think Patrick Lefevere is fighting to keep him. We are open to discussion, » Vasseur said.

Does this mean that Alaphilippe’s future necessarily lies within the borders of France for 2025? Not necessarily, according to those close to him. The main consideration for Alaphilippe is not racing for a French team, but rather following