Ten years after his only participation in the Australian stage race, Julian Alaphilippe (Soudal Quick-Step) is one of the main cyclists in the 2024 edition of the Santos Tour Down Under. During the pre-race press conference, he revealed that he was excited about returning to the other side of the globe.
“10 years passed very quickly. It’s a pleasure to be here, back in Adelaide. I’m very happy to be here and motivated to start the season”, said the Frenchman.
The goal is to be 100% in the Classics and the Giro
“We are in the sun, the stages are short, there is a risk of it being a hectic race. It’s been a few years since I started my program in more or less the same way, and with the ambition that ‘I have to be 100% in the Classics and the Giro’, I think it’s good to change”, continues Alaphilippe.
“I acclimatized quite well, the training went well, I had good feelings and above all I want to race. There is a lot of motivation, we have a great team at the start. We want to do our best, enjoy the race.
“We know that we have to be careful with the heat, that the Australian runners are in very good shape, let’s see, we are motivated”, concludes the Frenchman, who in the current edition, is not part of the Tour Down Under favorites.
Watch Julian Alaphilippe’s full interview: