The town of Montluçon, where Julian Alaphilippe grew up, was celebrating this Wednesday for the passage of the Tour de France and the local champion. The brother, mother and friends of the double world champion were present to encourage him.
On the road, on signs, on t-shirts, on the facade of shops, on cars… Here, the name of Julian Alaphilippe is displayed in large. Everywhere. Welcome to Montluçon, the sub-prefecture of Allier. It is in this town of 37,000 souls that the double world champion grew up, where his family settled, in a city in the Fontbouillant district, when he was still in kindergarten. The link never broke. So when he turns up rue de Pasquis, just in front of the cycle store run by his younger brother Bryan, the emotion is palpable, this Wednesday, on the occasion of the eleventh stage of the Tour de France drawn between Clermont-Ferrand and Moulins .
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The peloton is going at high speed and the rider of the Soudal-Quick Step cannot afford to dismount to embrace all those who make up his fan club. But he still takes the time to slip into the last positions to greet relatives and friends. There is his brother Bryan, a former professional runner, but also their mother Catherine, as discreet as she is proud of her sons, and the whole of Vélo Sport Montluçonnais, the club where Julian was fired. Franck Alaphilippe, his cousin and trainer, passed a little earlier, before the pack passed. A handful of minutes, enough time to give the family a kiss and share their pride in seeing the most beautiful race in the world in Montluçon: “It’s really nice, it’s a pleasure!”
Alaphilippe family store in Montluçon, July 12, 2023 – RMC Sport
And Julian, what state of mind is he in after getting stuck in the Massif Central on Tuesday? “He did a good stage, it’s fine. He’s still disappointed and frustrated at not being able to win, but his condition is pretty good, we hope he’ll find the little something extra in the next few days.” A wish unanimously shared here. Already in the hard during the French championships in the North, the local hero saw a first part of the Tour somewhat galley. The yellow jersey he dreamed of wearing in the Basque Country? Missed. His forays into breakaways? Auspicious, but unsuccessful in the end. If he is still one of the winners in the applause meter, he has so far lacked a touch of madness in his reunion with a cocky public who cherishes him so much.
Franck Alaphilippe, Tour de France, July 12, 2023 – RMC Sport
“It’s only happiness” for the mother of Alaphilippe
“It sucks to fight for a top 10,” he confided annoyed Tuesday evening, in the furnace of Issoire. It was therefore time to arrive on his land to be entitled to a nice breath of fresh air. Messages of support galore, encouragement shouted with the heart. “It makes me super happy, for him and Bryan, confides his mother, white cap with red polka dots screwed on his head. It’s only happiness, there are people, the neighbors, we’re a bit like family Julian, I send him messages in the evening, he tells me he’s a bit burned out but that he’s going to try to win one. It’s getting closer! Will he win a stage? Yes, he told me !” A prophecy that Bryan Alaphilippe really likes: “He’s not missing much, but being in front is the main thing! It’s already exceptional what he’s done on the bike.”
Julian Alaphilippe’s fans in Montluçon on July 12, 2023 – RR
Withdrawn from the pelotons for two years, the latter launched with his partner a business dedicated to cycling, where the most beautiful jerseys worn by Julian since the start of his career serve as five-star decoration. This is where a hundred people gathered to celebrate the icon, unfurl banners and raise their voices. “I’m a fan of him because he’s strong! I usually watch him on TV and there we see him for real! He’s too strong, really too strong!” Repeats Paul, 7, member of the Vélo Sport Montluçonnais and dressed in an XXL replica of the world champion’s tunic. Same enthusiasm for Emma, 15, camped in front of a large screen which broadcasts the stage while waiting for the arrival of the runners: “He represents perseverance and courage, he has worked extremely hard to win everything he has won. It’s an example !”
Supporters of Julian Alaphilippe, Tour de France, July 12, 2023 – RMC Sport
Sophie, historical leader of the VSM, who saw Julian take part in his first races at 8-9 years old, has a little trouble hiding his emotion: “He raced with my children at cycling school! He already had a mentality I remember one race where he finished third after being beaten in the sprint. He threw his bike, sat on the ground and cried. Above all, he was a lovely boy, respectful, very polite , endearing and full of life! This is the pride of Montluçon, he is very much loved here.” He was able to realize it again.
Rodolphe Ryo and Valentin Jamin, in Montluçon
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