Julian Alaphilippe: His Surprise Decision Takes the Cycling World by Surprise

Julian Alaphilippe has decided to call it quits, effective immediately. Rumors of this decision had been circulating behind the scenes for weeks, but no one imagined it would be so imminent—so much so that it led the two-time world champion to end his career in the middle of the season. Already after the second stage finish of the 2026 Tour at Alpe d’Huez, there had been strong indications of uncertainty surrounding the 34-year-old’s future as a professional cyclist: that premonition has now become a reality. As initially reported by ‘Wielerflits’ and confirmed by ‘L’Equipe’, Alaphilippe has ended his competitive career.

The 2026 Tour was the turning point. Alaphilippe rode it with the increasingly clear feeling that he could no longer make an impact as he once did. His attacks—generous but fruitless—ended up taking a heavier toll than expected, and the athlete, originally from the Cher department, made no secret of the fact that he no longer identified with the current state of cycling, its dynamics, and its pace. His attempt at a fresh start after the Tour de France—a return to racing that was supposed to help him clear his head—turned into yet another sign: the spark had gone out.

The contract signed with the Tudor Pro Cycling Team in 2025 included a third season in 2027, but Alaphilippe has chosen to forgo the final year and will not compete in any races starting this season. The team has not issued any official comments on the matter, but the rider’s decision is final.

This brings to a close the career of one of the most recognizable faces in modern cycling: in addition to the road race titles at the World Championships won in 2020 and 2021, Alaphilippe also won the 2019 Milan–San Remo and Strade Bianche, the 2018, 2019, and 2021, six stages at the Tour de France (where, in 2018, he also won the polka-dot jersey), one at the Giro d’Italia, and one at the Vuelta a España.