The general manager of the Arkéa-Samsic team Emmanuel Hubert told Eurosport that he was strongly interested in Julian Alaphilippe if the latter decided to leave Soudal-Quick Step.
He is one of the greatest French runners of the 21st century, but since his departure from the Army in 2012, at the age of 20, Julian Alaphilippe has not worn the jersey of a French team. The native of Cher has always defended the colors of Quick Step since his transition to the professionals in 2013, and he is under contract with the team led by Patrick Lefevere until the end of 2024. But relations are not not necessarily in good shape with his boss, who did not hesitate to say that the door was open if he wanted to leave, because his results for the last two seasons (and in particular for 2022, where he ran little due to numerous injuries and illnesses) have been disappointing. And if the former double world champion left the Belgian formation, there is no doubt that many teams would be on the spot to sign him. This is particularly the case for Arkéa-Samsic, as its general manager confided on Monday on Eurosport.
Hubert: “I am very interested in Julian”
“Could I take an option on Julian if he were released? Why not. I’m very interested in Julian because on the one hand he’s a very, very likeable boy. Besides, he came here at home. He’s a very endearing person. He is still a double world champion and has worn the yellow jersey several times on the Tour de France in a memorable and remarkable way. We had spoken but he was not necessarily wired to return to a French team at that time. We are in cycling, we have two wheels and it turns. Would I call him back if he was wired to come back to a French team? Exactly ! “It would certainly be a big blow for the Breton formation, which has already succeeded in others, by recruiting for example Nairo Quintana, even if it ended badly. In the meantime, the 30-year-old runner is indeed a Soudal-Quick Step runner. After having started his season last week in Majorca (9th in the Trofeo Calvia in particular), we will find him again on February 25 and 26 for the Faun-Ardèche Classic and the Faun Drôme Classic.
