It may be a symbolic destination for Julian Alaphilippe. After seven extremely delicate first months, marked by injuries and a forced stoppage due to the Covid, the cyclist from Berry may finally start his 2022 season where he won his first professional career victory. The world champion is taking part in the Tour de l’Ain with three stages scheduled from Tuesday August 9 to Thursday August 11 with plains, mid-mountains and high mountains on the program.
It was in a mountain stage that Julian Alaphilippe distinguished himself for the first time and won his first professional career. On August 16, 2014, he won the fourth stage of the Tour de l’Ain after 130 kilometers between Nantua and Arbent. A solo victory and a list of awards that has grown tremendously since: reigning double world champion, Tour de France yellow jersey for 14 days in 2019…
On the Tour de l’Ain, Alaphilippe will try to get back in shape before the start of the Tour of Spain and especially the world championships at the end of September. “Unfortunately Julian missed a few days due to his positive Covid test. But we hope he is ready”explains the sports director of the Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl team.