Tour de France - Julian Alaphilippe: To have the Maillot Jaune for 14 days was simply incredible
Jul 29 2019 06:31 am CET
Photo of Julian Alaphilippe © Sigrid Eggers | Deceuninck - Quick-Step Cycling Team
Deceuninck-Quick-Step's Julian Alaphilippe received the award of the most combative rider in the 2019 Tour de France and took the fifth overall position after an outstanding performance throughout the race.
The Frenchman won two stages of the 2019 edition of La Grande Boucle and wore the Yellow Jersey from the eight to the 18th stage. He and his country had the opportunity to dream of a final victory in the race, but the Alps proved to be too hard for him and he lost the Maillot Jaune in the 19th stage.
"The race has been a marvellous experience, something truly unique," said the rider at the end of the race. "It was my dream to wear the maillot jaune, but to have it for 14 days was simply incredible.
"The team did a tremendous job riding for me and protecting me, while for my part I fought day after day to prolong this dream in yellow for as long as possible."
This edition of the race was special for the French because of Alaphilippe's performance and they made sure to show their love for the rider in every corner of the competition. "The support of the public was superb, I don't have enough words to tell you what it meant for me to have them chant my name, show their encouragement and support me and the team," the Frenchman explained.
"I want to thank them for this! I have never imagined this, just as I have never imagined that I would one day finish fifth overall, a beautiful performance and a bonus which rounds out this unforgettable Tour de France."
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