Julian Alaphilippe’s galley season continues. The world champion suffered a heavy fall during the 11th stage of the Vuelta on Wednesday. Hit in the shoulder, the Frenchman was forced to give up. It’s also bad news for Remco Evenepoel as he loses a weighty teammate in the defense of his leader’s red jersey.
The double French world champion (Quick-Step), who slipped in a turn within the peloton 64 kilometers from the finish, was taken on a stretcher to the nearest hospital.
Alaphilippe is not spared in this year 2022. The Frenchman had fallen in early March at Strade Bianche. He was then forfeited for Milan San Remo due to bronchitis. In April, Alaphilippe suffered a big fall in Liège-Bastogne-Liège. Insufficiently recovered, he might not participate in the Tour de France. He resumed his place in the peloton at the Tour de Wallonie, but had to leave it following two stages because of a positive covid test.
