Julian Alaphilippe, here during the 16th stage on Tuesday in the Vercors.

Marco Bertorello / AFP) -

AFP

  • Launched very strongly on this Tour de France 2020 after winning a stage victory and yellow jersey on August 30, Julian Alaphilippe has since had much less success.

  • Often bothered by mechanical problems, like Tuesday between La Tour-du-Pin and Villard-de-Lans, the Deceuninck-Quick Step rider has undoubtedly said goodbye to his ambition to achieve a new success before the Champs-Elysées.

From our special correspondent in Villard-de-Lans,

The passionate connection between La Grande Boucle and Julian Alaphilippe suddenly darkened this summer.

The tricolor icon of the previous edition had yet found, from the second stage in Nice, this yellow jersey which suits him so well after a

so

2019

number

, stage victory in the key.

But between the bidongate, the repeated mechanical problems on his bikes and around 52 unfruitful breakaways, the Deceuninck-Quick Step rider's last two weeks turned into a mess.

Alaphilippe has no luck with his gear this year.

It's been several times that we see him with the same type of problem ... # TDF2020 pic.twitter.com/0jIUnblT7x

- In the Musette (@DansLaMusette) September 15, 2020

After having (again) been in the game for a sixth career stage victory on the Tour, Tuesday between La Tour-du-Pin and Villard-de-Lans, he was dropped by stage winner Lennard Kämna and by Richard Carapaz.

A very logical outcome to believe the person concerned.

I felt good, I was happy to spend the day in front, especially since it was really difficult to escape today.

I have The profile suited me well, I gave everything and in the end, I have no regrets.

They were really stronger, above my limits.

They kicked off and I didn't have much more to do, I exploded.

"

"The chances are getting smaller all the same there"

To the point of not considering for a moment playing the blasters in the vertiginous and unprecedented stage of this Wednesday between Grenoble and the pass of Loze?

"I do not remember having ridden something so long and so hard", sums up Julian Alaphilippe, who does not seem to have more marked the last alpine stage concluded Thursday at La Roche-sur-Foron (Haute -Savoy).

Why Pogacar must "imperatively attack" Roglic at the Loze pass https://t.co/2w7lCuoT3e

- 20 Minutes (@ 20Minutes) September 15, 2020

"The chances are getting smaller there anyway, I think we'll have to recover by the end of the Tour," he says.

A nice little deadline will indeed arrive at full speed, with September 27 the world championship in Imola (Italy).

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