It’s a fall that will mark for a while Julian Alaphilippe and the witnesses of this terrible pile-up which involved a hundred cyclists. Present on the legendary Liège-Bastogne-Liège race a week ago, the 29-year-old French champion was thrown below the road. Present at his side, Romain Bardet was very afraid for him, as he said after the race. Transported to the hospital with several major physical glitches, including two broken ribs, a fractured shoulder blade and pneumothorax, the father of little Nino was afraid for his life.
Many health concerns which now raise a big question: will Julian Alaphilippe be present during the next Tour de France? Accustomed to shining on the Grande Boucle, the companion of Marion Rousse still unclear if he will be fully recovered on July 1 for the official departure. While his team was rather optimistic after a few days, it seems thatone of the damaged ribs is a problem to the young papa hen. “The fracture itself isn’t a problem, because it heals on its own. But one of the ribs, the one that punctured Julian’s lung and created the pneumothorax, has really moved a lot and has the biggest fracture. And it is she who worries us a little“admits Patrick Lefevere, the boss of the Quick-Step team in which he evolves, for The Parisian.
Frankly, for the Tour de France, it will be very limited
It will therefore be a race against time for Julian Alaphilippe if he wishes to be restored in time for the most important event of his season. “Frankly, for the Tour de France, it will be very limited”, asserts Patrick Lefevere. Returned home to continue his recovery, the French cyclist must move as little as possible according to information from our colleagues. A crucial point will be made on May 15 to find out if he will have time to prepare and therefore to participate in the Tour de France.
In the meantime, he is very discreet, just like his companion, Marion Rousse. Accustomed to being active on social networks, the two lovers have not posted anything for more than a week and Julian’s injury. Silent, they are certainly waiting to learn more about the rest of the events, while enjoying their adorable little Nino, who has been fulfilling their lives for eleven months now.