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Follow us on GoogleKévin Vauquelin was clearly disappointed when he lost the overall victory in the Tour de Suisse to a super-strong João Almeida on Sunday. Despite this, the 24-year-old Frenchman from Arkéa-B&B Hotels finished second in the final classification and can now confidently look forward to the Tour de France. Especially after a wonderful conversation with his great role model, Julian Alaphilippe.
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In recent days, it looked like Vauquelin and Alaphilippe would be on the final podium. However, Loulou did not ride a good climb time trial on the final day and dropped two places, from third to fifth. Vauquelin did better, although his 33-second lead over Almeida was not enough to keep the leader's jersey.
A spot on the podium in a major WorldTour race, but Vauquelin was still feeling a little down after his time trial. It was Alaphilippe who cheered him up in front of the L'Equipe camera. “Do you realize what a week you've had? Looking ahead to the Tour de France, that's brilliant, don't worry!” The words clearly move Vauquelin because it turns out that Alaphilippe is his big hero. “You know you were my idol, right?”
Read more below the photo.
Alaphilippe cheered for Vauquelin
In his flash interview, Alaphilippe was also praised for his younger compatriot. The 33-year-old Frenchman started a few minutes before Almeida and knew what was happening when the Portuguese rider overtook him. “I hoped it would work out for Vauquelin, so I was pretty annoyed when Almeida overtook me. I already knew he was putting in a great performance, which would be difficult. Kévin said I was his idol, so now it's up to me to support him.”
It will have meant much to Vauquelin because he was so close to a wonderful overall victory. “Of course, I'm disappointed; I had high expectations of myself. I think my legs felt strange because of all the emotions in such a short time. I tried to give it my all, but I felt I lacked some of the guts I had on Saturday. I had a little less power, and it doesn't help when it's uphill because, in a normal trial, you're motivated by the speed.”
Read more below the photo.
Vauquelin performs above expectations at ailing Arkéa-B&B Hotels
"We had no ambition to go for the GC, Vauquelin concluded proudly. “Now I've reached a milestone with second place. That's phenomenal ahead of the Tour because I have to admit that we didn't even have a chef with us this week. We have fewer resources as a team due to a complicated financial situation. I hope this result will attract sponsors and help the team.”
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Bram van der PloegEditor-in-chief
Bram van der Ploeg (35) is the proud founder of In de Leiderstrui, IDL Pro Cycling's parent site, launched in 2018. Finally, he could create stories about the sport he had followed since childhood. He is the editor-in-chief on paper, but prefers to be with his recorder next to a rider, a team bus, or in the mud at a cyclocross race. Every year, from February to the end of May, Bram follows the entire Italian cycling season, from the Trofeo Laigueglia to the Giro d'Italia, with the grand finale in October in Lombardy. During that time, he lives in Tuscany, where he has since come to call Italy his 'home'.
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