Julian Alaphilippe has said Sam Bennett’s performance on the Tour de France last year was “remarkable” for the team and the whole squad wanted to go into this year’s race chasing the same level.
The world champion Deceuninck-QuickStep rider, who will
fight for the French road race title this weekend before his big goal of the
Tour, said the team was determined to win big again this year.
Alaphilippe, who has just turned 29 years and became a
father for the first time earlier this week, already has four Tour stage wins
in his palmares and has held yellow for a total of 17 days.
“Last year we had the green jersey on the Champs-Élysées with Sam and that was something remarkable for the team,” Alaphilippe said of his Irish team mate Bennett, whose battle with Peter Sagan for green animated last year’s Tour.
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“Also, the stage I won in Nice was a great moment full of
emotions for me, as it came after some difficult weeks and months. I sported
the yellow jersey, and it filled me with pride to wear it again.
“It was a beautiful Tour with big moments and as always a
lot of memories. I can’t wait to return this year, to be there in Bretagne,
especially as the public will be allowed to watch the race, their presence making
everything more beautiful.
“The main goal at Le Tour will be to get a stage victory.
To raise my hands there, at the biggest race in the world, with the World
Champion jersey on my shoulders, would be something really special.
“The first week is going to be an important one, with
several opportunities. We will give our best there, as we always do. A
successful Tour for me would be a beautiful victory and to show some good
things together with the team.”
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