Julian Alaphilippe eyes Tour de France return with fresh resilience

Julian Alaphilippe has set his sights on a strong Tour de France 2026 campaign, framing his bid as proof of his comeback strength after recent setbacks.

Alaphilippe told reporters this week he’s targeting stage wins and a top-10 finish in the 2026 Tour de France, which starts on 3 July in Florence, Italy. The French star called the race a chance to show how far he’s come since his last Grand Tour start in 2023. “I’m fitter than I was two years ago,” he said. “The team believes in me, and I believe in myself.”

A top result would cap a recovery that’s seen him drop from his 2020-2021 peak but still stay in the mix for one-day races. His last Tour appearance ended in a crash on Stage 2 in 2023, forcing him to abandon. This year’s route features six summit finishes, including Alpe d’Huez, giving him chances to attack. “I’m not here to make up numbers,” he said. “I want to fight for jerseys.”

The peloton’s big names loom large: Tadej Pogačar, Jonas Vingegaard, and Mathieu van der Poel all target GC or stage wins. Alaphilippe’s best recent result is a 2022 Milan-San Remo victory, but his form this spring suggests he’s rounding into shape. “They’re monsters,” he admitted. “But I’ve beaten them before, and I’ll keep trying.”

He’ll ride the 2026 Critérium du Dauphiné from 7 June as a final tune-up, then race the French road championships on 28 June. Both events double as warm-ups for the Tour. “I need the racing,” he said. “No more hiding behind training numbers.”

Alaphilippe turns 34 in September but insists age isn’t a factor. “I feel like I did at 28,” he said. “The legs are there. Now it’s about proving it when it counts.”