A final message to conclude 2024 and eleven years of collaboration. On its social networks, the Belgian team Soudal Quick Step pays tribute to the French cyclist Julian Alaphilippe, now committed to the Swiss formation Tudor Pro Cycling Team for 2025. “One of the last romantic riders of cycling, a champion, a Soudal Quick-Step legend, an extraordinary teammate, a winner. Thank you for making us dream and turning our dreams into reality, Julian,” we can read on the team’s Instagram account. “Thank you Loulou (Alaphilippe’s nickname) », Adds one of his most loyal teammates, the Belgian Iljo Keisse, in comment.
In the photo album accompanying this message, the Soudal Quick Step recalls the results of Julian Alaphilippe’s eleven years under his colors: 44 victories, 663 days of racing, 108,000 km covered… Figures that are dizzying for the 32-year-old cyclist. years. Double world road champion (2020, 2021), Julian Alaphilippe also won the title of best climber of the 2018 Tour de France as well as numerous classics (Milan-San Remo 2019, Flèche wallonne 2018, 2019 and 2021, etc.).
If the victories were numerous and beautiful, the last years of the rider in his long-time team were more complicated, marked in particular by the weakening of his relations with his boss, Patrick Lefevere. The latter will hand over at the end of the year, truly marking a change of era for the Belgian team which still counts a certain Remco Evenepoel in its ranks.
