After a breakthrough season in 2015, Etixx-QuickStep’s Julian Alaphilippe has spoken to Rouleur.cc about his great season and how he aims to build on it and achieve more success in 2016.
The 23 year old Frenchman says that he first felt really strong and confident way before his break out at the Ardennes Classics. His confidence began to grow after the was strong in defending the Yellow Jersey on teammate Michal Kwiatkowski’s shoulders at Paris-Nice.
“At Paris-Nice. I felt strong, working well every day for the yellow jersey (below), Michal Kwiatkowski. Afterwards, at the Classics, Tour of Catalunya and Romandie, I had a lot of confidence. It was a great period for me.”
However, the world finally sat up and took notice of Julian at the Ardennes Classics, after only experienced pro Alejandro Valverde could beat him at Fleche Wallonne and Liege Bastogne-Liege. Seventh place while helping teammate Michal Kwiatkowski win Amstel Gold wasn’t bad either.
“That was a real surprise for everyone, me included,” he says. “I worked to be in form for Classics like that, to help the team; when it comes to trying for my own result, you never know.”
While it is hard to come so close to a big win and be denied, Alaphilippe says that he has no disappointment from those races, as they were his first participations in large Classics.
“We always want to win; me, I’m a winner, I have the mentality of someone who wants to win all the time. But after a few months to reflect, I’m really happy, not disappointed for those first participations in Liège and Flèche Wallonne. I have the desire to keep working in the next years.”
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