Julian Alaphilippe in rainbow -

Marco BERTORELLO / AFP

We imagine him opening it like a Christmas present, enthusiastically tearing up the package to access the holy grail.

Fresh world champion Julian Alaphilippe will race the oldest Liège-Bastogne-Liège on Sunday with the sacred rainbow jersey, perhaps the most beautiful thing to experience in a cycling career.

"It was a great moment when I opened the box of the package," he explained on video conference Friday.

You realize a little more that this is the outfit that you will wear for the end of the season and all next year.

In addition I find it very beautiful, they have worked really well.

It's very sober, very classy.

It's a piece of equipment that has always made me dream, but seeing it for real, telling me it's mine, it's really special.

And this morning (Friday), I had time to take advantage of the recognition of the final in Liège with my teammates in addition.

It was a very beautiful moment.

"

Next three races of the World Champion:


04.10 - @LiegeBastogneL


07.10 - @DeBrabantsePijl


18.10 - @RondeVlaanderen


Photo: @BeelWout pic.twitter.com/VPtFNxheWI

- Deceuninck-QuickStep (@deceuninck_qst) October 2, 2020

His team, the Deceuninck, obviously did not miss the opportunity to do a beautiful photo shoot and announce the upcoming program of its champion, with a discovery in 15 days of the Tour of Flanders.

But first, "LBL", of which Alaphilippe will be the big favorite.

"I'm very happy to honor the jersey for my first outing in a race like Liège," he continues.

With this jersey on my shoulders, I will certainly be expected, maybe more than usual.

On the other hand for me, that does not change anything.

I feel pretty relaxed.

Despite the demands, I wanted to take the time to properly digest the emotions and the effort, also to recover to be in good condition on Sunday.

Liège is quite simply one of the races that I dream of winning.

The World Championship was the Holy Grail for me.

Liège is different, but it's still a race that is one of my goals.

"

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