There will not be the world champion’s rainbow jersey at the start of Milan-San Remo this weekend. Julian Alaphilippe renounces the “Primavera” as he confirmed this Wednesday, March 16 on his Instagram account. “Sad to leave the team, especially after a difficult week of racing in Tirreno Adriatico where I felt the legs were coming back well despite my crash at Strade Bianche. Rest and patience on the program”, writes the double world champion.
For two days, Alaphilippe has been suffering from sore throats with a little fever. Already on Tuesday, the Quick-Step team doctor was pessimistic about his participation. Having remained in Italy since the arrival of Tirreno-Adriatico on Sunday, Julian Alaphilippe suffers from bronchitis. He returned to France for treatment. Winner in 2019 of Milan-San Remo, the Frenchman will not be at the start of the Monument for the first time in 6 years.
“Milan-San Remo is an event that we love and are always happy to race,” said Belgian team sporting director Davide Bramati. But this year we know the odds will not favor us, as we cannot rely on Julian, who we hope will make a quick and full recovery. Although we are not among the favorites, we are still motivated to have a good race. »
Alaphilippe’s package opens the door a little more to the victory of the favorite of the event, the Slovenian Tadej Pogacar already winner of the Strade Bianche and Tirreno-Adriatico since he set foot on Italian soil this year.