Cycling: Evenepoel-Alaphilippe, the appointment is made…

Coming out of a Vuelta which, despite its very good reaction, once again showed its lack of reliability in high mountains over a three-week event, Remco Evenepoel indirectly reaffirmed its desire to have a dedicated team for the Tour de France 2024. A message related to the possible presence of Julian Alaphilippe? In any case, the two riders will quickly meet again, a meeting which could not remain without consequences for the future. Analysis

By taking the option of devoting a large part of its budget to setting up a team focused on the Tour de France, in order to be at the level required to help Remco Evenepoel in his quest for the yellow jersey, Patrick Lefévèrethe boss of the Soudal-Quickstephas in turn weakened the “classic” pole of the Belgian team, where in the end, it will bet on a return to the top of Julian Alaphilippe, who did not wish to leave one year before the end of his contract. Such a situation inevitably raises the question of the relationship between the two leaders. Julian Alaphilippea deeply collective element, has proven in the past that it knows how to put itself at the service ofEvenepoel. But if the Frenchman regains his best level, what will happen, particularly during the Tour de France, where Evenepoel want a dedicated team? The ambitions and offensive character ofAlaphilippe will they be able to fit into the frame?

Cycling: Total Energies ready to invest in Alaphilippe! https://t.co/jip517tZg0 pic.twitter.com/cUhyAqG2FE

— le10sport (@le10sport) September 15, 2023

“We have to be sure that everything is in order for the Tour de France”

Au sortir de la Vuelta, Remco Evenepoel was in any case very clear about his intentions for the future in an interview with The newspapaerreported by cyclingnews.com : « I am satisfied with this Vuelta. Only stage 13 was disappointing. We can’t be disappointed overall, though. I won three stages and almost a fourth. It’s a nice assessment. (…) I don’t know how I managed mentally to win the stage the day after my failure. I was really drained, but the moment I got on the bike I felt like I had good legs. Perhaps it was a form of revenge. Afterwards, I regained my morale and responded with the pedals. I am happy and proud. I still have no explanation for my failure. I must now forget this 13th step. Here, I learned to run more defensively, to manage certain situations or disappointments. This Vuelta will help me in the future. (…) Now, a long winter is looming. I won’t start running in January. So we have time to make sure everything is in order for the Tour de France. I have confidence in the team ».

The Tour of Lombardy is a test…

What is he referring to when he says these words? The need to precisely distribute roles in the team to avoid any misunderstanding? To the fact that it was clear to everyone that the entire team had to be at their service at the Tour, including Alaphilippe ? As he comes out of a Vuelta where he failed in his ambition for the general, Evenepoel Did he feel the need to reestablish his absolute leadership? Hard to say. But it emerges implicitly from these words thatEvenepoel wants a team dedicated 100% to its victory in the Tour. In such a context, it will be more than interesting to look closely at the behavior of the two leaders of the Soudal-Quickstep at the Tour of Lombardy, where they will both start with the desire to win. Especially if Julian Alaphilippe finds himself at one point in front with a possibility of winning. Certainly, the Tour of Lombardy will test the solidity of their collaboration and their ability to evolve in good harmony on the Tour de France next year.