Julian Alaphilippe: It’s not all about me, it’s about the team
The Frenchman talks about his switch in teams, striving to be his best and how cycling has become too focused on numbers
A drop in division might look like a backward step in professional cycling but two recent transfers have altered that stereotype, with Tom Pidcock and Julian Alaphilippe proving that moves from the WorldTour to the ProTeam level can reinvigorate a rider’s career.
Of course, it’s only January, and time will tell whether these moves develop into long-term success but at the Tudor Pro Cycling camp in Spain, the early indications are that Alaphilippe has slotted in perfectly to his new surroundings.
“To be honest, when I had to make my decision I didn’t think about WorldTour or not WorldTour,” the former double world champion opened with at the beginning of his press conference.
“It was just about my feeling and what I wanted. What I want is to enjoy racing, and being on a good structure and like I’ve said before, the project of Tudor Pro Cycling really matched with what I wanted. I feel super happy and motivated to join this project and to see it from where they started, where they are now and where they want to be. It’s a challenge for me but I’m happy and proud to be part of it,” he added.