“It’s heartbreaking, I find it hard to understand”, regrets Thomas Voeckler

“It’s heartbreaking, I find it difficult to understand insofar as yesterday [dimanche] he nevertheless participated in the French championships over a distance of 240 kilometers, he was very active, which demonstrates a level of form that is largely quite honest”, notes Monday, June 27 on franceinfo Thomas Voeckler, coach of the French men’s cycling team, after the decision of Julian Alaphilippe not to participate in the next Tour de France. His name does not appear in the list of runners selected for the race revealed by his team Quick-Step-Alpha Vinyl. “He is probably frustrated, disappointed, it’s unfortunate but we can’t change that.”

Thomas Voeckler recalls “that he fell in Liège-Batonne-Liège with a heavy toll, fractured scapula, two broken ribs, one of which punctured his lungs, it was already great that he could have a month of training”. “I don’t understand but you have to accept the decision of your team. They are the strongest team in the world and they have proven for years that they know how to manage their workforce”recognizes Thomas Voeckler.

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Sunday, “He was at the French championships and he said he wanted to compete in the Tour de France and we will have to do without him”continues the coach of the French men’s cycling team, “He belongs to a professional team and there are a lot of stakes”.

“They judged that risk taking” was too big.

“Since he was not at 100% and that could jeopardize the second part of the season, he could not have done a 100% lap but he could have given us pleasure on certain stages”

Thomas Voeckler

at franceinfo

“He is a rider who is generous and who likes this contact with the public, emphasizes Thomas Voeckler. It is unique the relationship with the public that he has established, it is a relationship of love between the public and Julian Alaphilippe”.