Sensational: Alaphilippe retires from cycling

Julian Alaphilippe is retiring from cycling, the French rider thus giving up the final year of his contract with Tudor Pro Cycling and ending his career with immediate effect.

During the last Tour de France, Alaphilippe made some comments at Alpe d'Huez that hinted at a major turning point. "Nothing's official, but don't expect to see me again," Julian Alaphilippe said. As reported Thursday evening by Dutch newspaper Wielerflits and confirmed by L'Equipe, the two-time world champion has indeed decided to end his career at the age of 34.

He leaves behind a rider capable of winning two consecutive world championships in 2020 and 2021 and Milan-San Remo (2019) as well as six stages of the Tour de France . He remains with the flaw of never having won Liège-Bastogne-Liège , a perfect race for his characteristics.

Photo: Sprint Cycling Agency