The spring of Julian Alaphilippe (31 years old) did not bring what the Frenchman and his team expected. Alaphilippe has now revealed to Le Parisien that the injury has caused work to be disrupted. “But I didn’t say anything because I didn’t want people to think I was making something up.”
Julian Alaphilippe appeared to have his nose stuck to the window for a moment with his ninth-place finish in Milan-San Remo, but he played no significant role during the cobbled Classics.
The leader of Soudal – Quick Step fell through the ice with his teammates, but in an interview with Le Parisien, the two-time world champion gave an explanation: during his fall at Strade Bianche, Alaphilippe suffered a fracture of the fibula.
This news has not been shared in recent weeks. “I didn't say anything about it because I didn't want people to think I was making something up,” he explains. “But I suffered a lot after that fall.”
It was a wrong decision to participate in the classics. In those tough races you have to be 100 percent ready anyway. With my injury that was impossible.
Julian Alaphilippe
Alaphilippe contacted medical staff after experiencing persistent knee pain and further tests revealed the fracture. “This explains why the pain persists.”
According to the Frenchman, the pain “was not unbearable,” but there was “irritation.” “The team let me decide whether I would ride the Flemish races or not.”
He added, “It was a wrong decision to do that. In those difficult races, you have to be 100 percent ready anyway. With my injury, that was impossible.”
Alaphilippe has remained silent despite (or just because of?) the fires with his team manager Patrick Lefebvre.
“I was motivated and didn't want to pass on after all the efforts I put in, but I had to take care of myself. But now it's behind us.”
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