Deceuninck Quick-Step's Julian Alaphilippe created his own myth at 2019 Tour de France

Sport360 staff 10:17 29/07/2019
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  • Another Tour de France is done and dusted, and Deceuninck Quick-Step can look back with pride on what their extraordinary riders achieved at the biggest race in the world.

    A a hat-trick of stage wins netted by Julian Alaphilippe and Elia Viviani, two exceptional weeks in the famous maillot jaune which turned 100 this year and a plethora of dazzling moments that have found their place in the race’s history book.

    For three amazing weeks, Alaphilippe created his own myth, one that will reverberate over generations, after igniting a nation’s hopes and keeping them alive, while continuously surpassing everyone’s expectations.

    The new hero of the French public, Alaphilippe lit up the race and was one of the key factors in this edition being widely regarded as the best in decades, thanks to his constant attacking, brace of stage wins, superb spell in the yellow jersey and effervescent personality, all factors that have earned him legions of fans.

    “The race has been a marvellous experience, something truly unique. It was my dream to wear the maillot jaune, but to have it for 14 days was simply incredible,” said the 27-year-old.

    “The team did a tremendous job riding for me and protecting me, while for my part I fought day after day to prolong this dream in yellow for as long as possible.”

    Alaphilippe and 2018 champion Geraint Thomas on the final stage.

    Alaphilippe and 2018 champion Geraint Thomas on the final stage.

    Fifth in the general classification – the best result of a home rider at the 106th edition – Alaphilippe paid tribute to the feverish crowds who didn’t miss any opportunity to show their love.

    “The support of the public was superb, I don’t have enough words to tell you what it meant for me to have them chant my name, show their encouragement and support me and the team,” said the rider who received the Super Combatif award.

    “I want to thank them for this. I have never imagined this, just as I have never imagined that I would one day finish fifth overall, a beautiful performance and a bonus which rounds out this unforgettable Tour de France.”

    Quick-Step CEO Patrick Lefevere had only words of praise for the Wolfpack as he expressed his immense happiness after one of the team’s best ever outings in a Grand Tour.

    “We were one of the top teams of the Tour de France and everybody – riders and staff alike – deserves huge congratulations for their work, passion and winning mentality that took us here,” he said.

    “We were prominent every single day and all the guys – Julian, Elia, Max (Richeze), Kasper (Asgreen), Michael (Morkov), Dries (Devenyns), Enric (Mas) and Yves (Lampaert) – played an important role in these achievements that won’t be forgotten and rode as a real squad, which is one of the most valuable things that remain after this race.”

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