Julian Alaphilippe recently opened up about the circumstances surrounding a difficult period in his career, shedding light on the personal and professional challenges he’s faced over the past few seasons. The French cyclist, who has been one of the sport’s most charismatic and successful figures, revealed in a candid interview how injuries, team dynamics, and mental strain have impacted his performance and mindset.
Alaphilippe explained that a series of crashes and injuries over the past few years have taken a toll on his confidence and consistency. “Physically, I was struggling to get back to my best after each setback,” he said. “I wanted to return stronger, but the body needs time to heal, and I was pushing too hard, too fast.” These physical challenges were compounded by the pressure to perform at the highest level, particularly after his back-to-back UCI Road World Championship wins in 2020 and 2021.
Another factor contributing to his struggles was the high expectations from both fans and his team, Soudal Quick-Step. Alaphilippe admitted that being seen as a team leader comes with immense pressure. “You want to deliver, you want to be there for your team, but sometimes, it’s not as easy as it looks from the outside. The mental side of things is just as important as the physical, and I had to learn that the hard way.”
Despite these challenges, Alaphilippe remains optimistic about his future in the sport. “I’ve learned a lot in the past couple of years. I’m more focused on enjoying the races, taking things one step at a time, and remembering why I fell in love with cycling in the first place. There’s still more I want to achieve, and I’m ready to fight for it.”
With this renewed mindset, Alaphilippe aims to return to his winning ways and inspire his fans once again.
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