Alaphilippe refuses to change his racing style: “What I need to do isn’t on a datasheet”

Alaphilippe has won plenty during his career. He is a two-time world champion, has taken six Tour de France stage victories and also won the Monument Milan-San Remo. But the Frenchman’s glory years are now some distance behind him, which eventually led him to ProTeam outfit Tudor.

It was a move he says he badly needed, even though there was no Tour de France guarantee when he signed. “I always compare it to fire,” he said. “Changing teams was the extra block of wood that had to be thrown onto the fire.”

The two-time world champion is therefore very happy at his new team, where he plays an important role in the squad’s development. It is something that really appeals to the experienced rider. “In some ways, I feel more important, more useful and therefore happier at Tudor than I did at Quick-Step. It motivates me to be part of a team that is finding its place in the peloton and will hopefully keep getting stronger.”

With all his experience, he is helping the younger riders understand the demands of professional cycling. “I show them, from my perspective, how to race and with what mentality.” And there is little wrong with the mentality of the attacking Frenchman in his own eyes, so he has no intention of changing it now.

“I can still ride the bike the way I do. Otherwise I should stop. I do not want to change my racing style.” Although Alaphilippe understands that data has become hugely important in modern cycling, he also believes the value of race instinct should not be underestimated. “What I need to do, when, where and how isn’t on a datasheet.”

What is more, the Frenchman feels he needs that instinctive approach if he is to continue in the sport. “To enjoy cycling, I have to ride with my heart.” The Tudor puncher was therefore determined not to stop despite the difficult years he has come through. “I love what I do,” said the Frenchman, who did not want to bring his career to an end at a low point.

“I wanted to win that fight with myself. So I took my time and did everything I could to get better so I could come back. In the end, I’m a fighter,” the Frenchman continued. He is trying to pass that motivation on to the younger riders in the team as well. “On the bike I’m a motivator; that is my role. But off the bike I’m someone who likes to talk and laugh with others.”

With a contract running through 2028, Alaphilippe is also far from done with the sport for the time being, although the 33-year-old Frenchman does not rule out extending beyond that. “I don’t know whether I’ll be ready to stop then. Right now I’m so focused, so deeply involved in cycling, and I still love riding my bike. I take it season by season.” Alaphilippe is currently racing Tirreno-Adriatico, where he finished 30th in Monday’s time trial won by Filippo Ganna.