Julian Alaphilippe, the 24-year-old Frenchman who finished runner up at Fleche Wallonne in both 2015 and 2016, and runner up at Liege-Bastogne-Liege in 2015, has been ruled out of the Ardennes Classics due to injury.
His Quickstep Floors team announced the news on Tuesday, attributing the knee injury to a crash that Alaphilippe suffered at the Vuelta al Pais Vasco last week.
While he finished the stage, Alaphilippe did not finish the race, and despite taking some rest since, the issue has not disappeared.
'It's a very difficult moment for me,' said Alaphilippe. 'In the past days I didn't train, hoping the pain will go away, but this didn't happen. I am sad to miss the Ardennes Classics, which I'm very fond of, but there really is nothing I can do about it.'
After his podium placings at Fleche Wallonne and Liege-Bastogne-Liege, as well as two top tens at the Amstel Gold Race, Alaphilippe has established himself as one of the main protagonists of the Ardennes Classics. 5th on GC at Paris-Nice and 3rd at Milan-San Remo so far this year only reiterated his potential for success.
However, despite the disappointment, Alaphilippe is staying positive: 'I remain upbeat and hope to return as soon as possible to action,' he said. 'At the same time, I want to wish all the best to my teammates who will ride the Ardennes over the next weeks.'