The China Mail - 'Grateful' ex-world champion Alaphilippe retires from cycling

The 34-year-old, who claimed the rainbow jersey in 2020 and 2021, had a contract with his Tudor team until 2027.

Alaphilippe's final race was at this year's Tour de France, when he finished 125th overall.

"It is with a very particular emotion that I write these few words to announce the end of my sporting career," he said on social media.

"After much reflection, I had the honour of closing this chapter of my life on the Champs-Elysees, by way of Montmartre in Paris, on the final stage of the Tour de France

"I feel enormous gratitude for having been able to work with, meet, or simply cross paths with so many wonderful people throughout my career.

"And a great deal of luck, too, to have made some of my dreams come true, and to have lived through emotions that will stay with me forever. Pride at having contributed to so many successes for all my teams.

"And at having been able to let you live them too. You have always supported me so much, even in the hardest moments.

"Before coming back to you to share what comes next, simply a big THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart," he added.

- 'Flair, smile, class' -

Earlier, Dutch website WielerFlits and French newspaper L'Equipe claimed Alaphilippe would end his career this year before the Tour de France and the Vuelta a Espana paid homage to the former Quick Step rider.

Alaphilippe claimed won six stages on his home Grand Tour.

"Loulou. In yellow, polka dots, rainbow, you made us dream in July and throughout the year! Thank you for your flair, your smile and your class!", the Tour said on X.

He claimed his first stage victory in a Grand Tour at the 2017 Vuelta.

"Thank you for everything, Loulou," the Vuelta said on the platform.

Alaphilippe enjoyed his purple patch from 2018 to 2021 winning the Milan-San Remo in 2019 and then recording two stage victories and spending 14 days in the leader's yellow jersey during that year's Tour.

Then, in an unprecedented achievement for a Frenchman, he won two consecutive world championships titles in 2020 and 2021.

The rest of his career showed decline, with several major crashes including one during the Liege-Bastogne-Liege in 2022 which sidelined him for months.

He released a statement before the end of this year's Tour, saying: "Nothing is official, but you shouldn't expect to see me again."

I.Ko--ThChM