Julian Alaphilippe reportedly retires with immediate effect at 34

The news was first reported by WielerFlits on Thursday evening and was later confirmed by L’Équipe, which reported that the two time world champion has decided not to race again and will give up the final year of his contract with Tudor Pro Cycling.

Tudor has yet to officially announce Alaphilippe’s retirement.

If confirmed, the 2026 Tour de France will have been the final race of one of the most popular and attacking riders of his generation.

Alaphilippe had already suggested during the Tour that his time in professional cycling could be coming to an end. Despite repeatedly trying to get into the action, the Frenchman struggled to make the impact that defined so much of his career.

According to L’Équipe, those weeks ultimately played a major role in his decision. Alaphilippe reportedly felt that he was no longer able to compete for victories in the way he wanted to and struggled to reconnect with racing after returning home from the Tour.

He was under contract with Tudor until the end of 2027, having joined the Swiss team ahead of the 2025 season following more than a decade in the Quick Step structure.

His move to Tudor initially offered the prospect of a fresh chapter. Alaphilippe came close to several major results during his first season with the team before taking victory at the Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec, which now appears set to stand as the final win of his professional career.

The 2026 season proved more difficult. Strong results became increasingly rare and Alaphilippe failed to finish several races in the build up to the Tour.

That difficult ending should not overshadow an extraordinary career.

At his peak, Alaphilippe was one of cycling’s biggest stars. His aggressive racing style and explosive acceleration made him one of the most entertaining riders of his generation.

He became world champion in Imola in 2020 before successfully defending the rainbow jersey in Leuven a year later. His one day palmarès also includes Milan-Sanremo, Strade Bianche, Clásica San Sebastián and three victories at La Flèche Wallonne.

The Tour de France provided some of his most memorable moments. Alaphilippe won six stages, spent 18 days in the yellow jersey and claimed the mountains classification in 2018. A year later, he wore yellow for 14 stages and remained in contention for the overall victory deep into the final week before eventually finishing fifth.

Across his career, he collected 45 professional victories.

Results became less frequent during his final seasons, but his popularity barely faded. Crowds continued to gather around him at races, particularly at the Tour, where Alaphilippe remained one of the most recognisable figures in French cycling.