Julian Alaphilippe Calls Early End to Racing Career

Julian Alaphilippe has reportedly called an early end to his professional racing career. According to L'Equipe, the French cyclist decided to retire immediately, forgoing the rest of the 2026 season and the final year of his contract with Tudor Pro Cycling.

The news comes after Alaphilippe reportedly hinted at his retirement during the 2026 Tour de France, where he finished significantly behind stage winner Richard Carapaz in what may have been his final race. He expressed his sentiments, saying, "It’s maybe my last one, so I made the most of it, I gave everything, not with a lot of success but I didn’t leave anything out there."

Wielerflits earlier reported that the 34-year-old was on the verge of terminating his contract with Tudor Pro Cycling, an announcement later confirmed by L'Equipe's sources. Alaphilippe signed with Tudor Pro Cycling until the end of 2027 but will not compete further this season, marking a sudden conclusion to his professional career.

After a decade on the WorldTour circuit, particularly with Quickstep, Alaphilippe became known for both his wins and his flair that entertained fans, winning six Tour de France stages, spending 18 days in the yellow jersey, and adding prestigious victories such as La Flèche Wallonne thrice, Milan-San Remo, and Strade Bianche, bringing his UCI win tally to 45.

Despite a successful career, Alaphilippe's last few seasons saw a decline in form, and he faced criticism from his team manager, Patrick Lefevere, during his tenure at Soudal-Quickstep. His transfer to Tudor was seen as a potential fresh start, especially with the team's aspirations for a wildcard entry into the Tour de France, which they achieved in 2025.

While hopes were high for a turnaround, Alaphilippe secured only one victory at the Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec during last season, with podium finishes also proving difficult this year. The athlete faced multiple DNFs, including at La Flèche Wallonne, underscoring a challenging final racing chapter that culminated in what appears to be his last appearance at the Paris finale of the Tour de France.