This Wednesday morning, L’Equipe reveals that Julian Alaphilippe, seriously injured a month ago, has resumed training on the road with a lighter program, with a view to participating in the Tour de France, departing from Copenhagen (July 1). – July 24).
A month ago to the day, Alaphilippe had been relieved of a fall in Liège-Bastogne-Liège with a fractured collarbone and two ribs as well as a pneumothorax (an effusion of blood between the lung and the chest wall). “But some athletes recover much faster than normal people…”, breathed yesterday Patrick Lefevère, manager of the Quick-Step team.
After resuming training on a home-trainer on May 12, the double world champion obtained the green light from his training doctors to take part in the Quick-Step altitude course in Sierra Nevada (Spain), starting from last Friday.
“I’m super happy to be here, reported Alaphilippe on Monday, after an outing in the sun with his teammates. It’s good for morale to get back in the bath.
Still according to L’Equipe, the Frenchman does not follow the same sessions as his partners. “I have a rather light program compared to the others, the workloads are completely different, he says. I have to stick to it, it’s important. I mainly do endurance outings. I can’t exercise too hard, sprints, things like that. I hope to have a good two weeks here and we will see how my situation evolves. For now, I don’t know at all when I’m going to resume but I’m happy, I’m aware that I have to take my time. »
Alaphilippe’s recovery would have to go smoothly so that the rider can hope to be at the start of the Tour de France on July 1 in Denmark. The time trial is far from over, but for now the Frenchman is on schedule.
“I have a motivating goal, to do the Tour. That’s the main thing”
“He is not immune to a relapse, he must remain cautious, nuance Patrick Lefevere, the manager of the Belgian team. We’re going to keep the door to the Tour open until the last moment, but Julian can’t work miracles. Even if everything goes well, it will be limited. »
“I will train quietly, without stress, but always with the idea of being at the start of the Tour, adds Alaphilippe. If I succeed, my condition will certainly not be optimal and my preparation will be different from usual, but that is not the most important. I recovered quickly and well, I’m already back on the bike and I have a motivating goal, to do the Tour. That’s the main thing. »
Alaphilippe has already given up on his initial program: the Critérium du Dauphiné (June 5-12), the recognition of several stages of the Tour as well as the French Championships in Cholet on June 26. “June is coming quickly, underlines Lefevère. Julian is relieved, his injuries healed faster than expected, but no one is able to say when he will be back to competition.