"It's a big blow to the head for the French team, especially since it was in an ideal approach phase to the event. But everything in its time, we'll see if we do with it. or without him", underlined Voeckler, two days after the fall of the double world champion in the Tour of Spain which he left with a "dislocation of the right shoulder", according to his Quick Step team.

"It was not a trivial fall, it hit hard and of course time is not on our side. But we need more perspective, it's still fresh. I hope he recovers as soon as possible. quickly and that we will draw the conclusions in due time", added the coach who spoke with the runner and has "a strong thought for him".

Quick Step team manager Patrick Lefevere had estimated on Thursday that reigning double world champion Alaphilippe would be "probably too short" for the Worlds road race scheduled for Sunday September 25 in Wollongong, on the coast. east of Australia.

"In the Not Too Distant Future"

"I have no doubt that we will have the opportunity to discuss with Patrick Lefevere but for the moment there is no hurry", replied Thomas Voeckler who refuses to pay into alarmism and does not set a date at this stage. limit to make a decision.

Especially since France has a maximum quota of eight riders which does not concern Julian Alaphilippe, automatically qualified as reigning world champion.

Clearly: "if he is at the start, there will be nine riders from the French team and if he is not at the start, we are entitled to eight riders", like nine other major nations in world cycling, explained Voeckler.

"So I don't have to choose between Julian and another," added the coach who planned to announce his selection on September 12.

Hoping that "Alaf" wins his race against the clock against the injury.

"The French team will start the World Championships with well-established ambitions, but I don't want to make a fuss by saying that we approach the race with the same idea in mind whether Julian is there or not" , summarized Voeckler.

For its part, the Quick Step team indicated in a press release that the new examinations carried out on Friday "did not reveal any other injury" than the dislocation of the right shoulder initially detected.

"Julian can start using his shoulder and training on a home trainer. If the pain and his movements allow it, he will be able to train at full capacity in the not too distant future", explained the Belgian formation, without further ado. details.

© 2022 AFP