NÎMES: Ineos boss Dave Brailsford said Monday Tour de France leader Julian Alaphilippe had revolutionised the way the race was being contested, but insisted that consistency would finally pay off for the British outfit, led by defending champion Geraint Thomas.
A series of swashbuckling attacks from Alaphilippe see him leave the Pyrenees with the yellow jersey and a 1min 35sec lead on second-placed Thomas with 15 eventful stages behind them.
Mastermind of six Tour de France wins from the last seven editions, Brailsford said Alaphilippe had thrown a spanner in the Ineos works, taking their attention off who they originally saw as the chief contenders, and spoiling their plans to control the Tour.
“Alaphilippe has gained time on everyone with great style, his presence has changed the way all the other teams are riding too, not just us,” said Brailsford.
Alaphilippe, 27, has become a focal point for French fans and will wear the yellow jersey an 11th time on Tuesday’s flat run around Nimes, where 40 degrees celsius (over 100 fahrenheit) temperatures are expected.
“He is the biggest change to the Tour, he’s created a ripple effect,” insisted Brailsford.
“Because of him we are forced to react to the situation minute by minute.”
Brailsford said that world number one Alaphilippe’s presence was an unexpected headache.
“We have the conundrum of trying to get rid of Alaphilippe and dealing with the general classification guys.
“It’s both exciting on one level and on another like a game of chess.”
“This predicament is making the whole race very different.”
Brailsford was asked if he and Thomas had spoken too soon on the last rest day when they predicted Alaphilippe would wilt in the individual time trial, which he won, and suffer in the Pyrenees, where he also extended his lead over the two days.
“If (Alaphilippe) pulls it off he’s on another level to everyone.
“If he was to win this race he’ll be one of the greatest riders of all time,” said Brailsford.
But the former boss of British Olympic cycling insisted he remained confident his Ineos charges would emerge from high-altitude in the Alps later this week with the most glittering prize in cycling.
“There are four races that go over the magical 2000m mark and that’s where the real difference will be made,” he predicted of the altitude racing where rarefied oxygen can effect athletes both physically and psychologically.
“It’s going to go down to the wire. But I believe our consistency will pay off,” said Brailsford.
The 2018 champion Thomas complained of overheating in the baking afternoon sun at Pau during the time-trial, where Alaphilippe wowed the crowds by winning the race by 14sec from Thomas.
He then admitted feeling “weak” the following day in the Pyrenees where he also lost time above the treeline on the climb to the summit of la Tourmalet.
But after a late surge exposed Alaphilippe for the first time on Sunday’s second Pyrenean jaunt, Thomas was upbeat on the rest day Monday.
“I feel I’ve managed the race well, I have had my bad day and it wasn’t that bad either,” he explained.
“I’m itching to go now and hoping the Alps will treat me a lot better,” said the 33-year-old Welshman.
“I didn’t feel that great on the last climb (Sunday),” he admitted. – AFP
