Disappointment prevails for the darling of the French public even if he assures "to understand completely" the decision taken by his training.

The choice of Quick-Step also leaves aside two riders crowned champions in their countries on Sunday, the French Florian Sénéchal and the Briton Mark Cavendish who hoped to be able to beat his record of 34 stage victories held tied with Eddy Merckx.

"I have a natural affection for racing, from my days in the yellow jersey over the past three seasons, my stage wins and many other great memories with my teammates," said Alaphilippe, who has won six stages since 2018 and worn the yellow jersey eighteen times.

"To miss another opportunity to wear my beautiful rainbow jersey in my home country is very sad for me and I knew this decision would be difficult for the team," the Frenchman added, conceding: " I also don't want to be at the start if I can't be at my best."

Britain's Mark Cavendish of the Deceuninck Quickstep team wearing the green jersey for best sprinter (l.) is congratulated by his teammate Frenchman Julian Alaphilippe (r.) after winning stage 6 of the 108th edition of the Tour de France , 160 km between Tours and Châteauroux, July 1, 2021 – POOL/AFP/Archives

The Mondial-2022 on the horizon

Since his heavy fall, on April 24, in Liège-Bastogne-Liège, "Alaf" was launched in a form of time trial to recover from his injuries (hemopneumothorax, fractured shoulder blade, two broken ribs) and regain a condition satisfying physique.

With, in the viewfinder, the date of July 1, the day of departure of the Great Loop in Copenhagen.

With the achievements of an altitude course in Sierra Nevada (Spain), the double world champion presented himself Sunday at the French Championship in Cholet.

He completed the 240 kilometer long race, and even helped Sénéchal in the final.

"I really came to see where I was, to make an effort. I can't say that I had a lot of fun, but I was better than I thought, so I'm happy," he commented. after his 13th place, without yet knowing what his future in July would be.

His team justified their choice to give the Frenchman "more time to recover and rebuild his condition, so that he can be 100% for the second part of the season".

On the (distant!) horizon is obviously the World Championship scheduled for the end of September in Australia.

The circuit, announced as selective, seems to correspond to the profile of the number one French puncher, irresistible at Imola (Italy) in 2020, then in Louvain (Belgium) last year.

"I will now focus on getting back to my best form," he announced.

"I'm motivated to have a good second half of the season."

And round off his score for 2022, which is currently limited to one stage of the Tour of the Basque Country in April.

© 2022 AFP