Cycling: Julian Alaphilippe should not participate in the Tour de France to participate in the Olympic Games

Julian Alaphilippe préfère faire les Jeux plutôt que participer au Tour de France. EPA/ANSA – LUCA ZENNARO

The French cyclist, although successful in the Tour of Italy, is focusing on the Olympic Games in Paris.

His successful Tour of Italy with a stage victory and numerous breakaways had led people to believe that he could change his initial programme and compete in the Grande Boucle.

Also read: VIDEO. Cycling: “I didn't understand anything, it happened all of a sudden”, Julian Alaphilippe's heavy fall on Omloop Het Nieuwsblad

But according to information from the newspaper L’Equipe, Julian Alaphilippe will indeed give up the Tour de France and help his leader at Soudal-Quickstep Remco Evenepoel to devote himself to the Olympic Games where he should be the leader of the French team.

Léfevère respects his decision

His boss in the Belgian team, Patrick Lefévère would have liked the Frenchman to help the winner of the Vuelta a España in his quest but he respects his rider's decision to dedicate himself to the Olympic race in his country.