It has been an enduring twelve months for the two-time World Champion.
Starting the year in the rainbow jersey for which he was starting to feel synonymous, Julian has had a season disrupted by a huge crash at Liège–Bastogne–Liège, which prevented him recovering in time for the Tour de France. He was however able to take to the start of La Vuelta in Utrecht, where he did some stellar work to help his teammate Remco Evenepoel capture the race leader’s red jersey. Julian’s luck was out again on stage 11 however, when another unfortunate crash ended his race. These incidents were on top of several bouts of illness throughout the year.
In a candid interview, Julian talks of his trials and tribulations from this year, his pride in seeing Evenepoel finish the job at the Spanish Grand Tour before going on to succeed him in the rainbow jersey, as well as his own ambitions to bounce back in 2023.
Photo credit: ©Tim De Waele / Getty Images
Julian Alaphilippe