The 2025 Tour de France was marked by a memorable scene during the 15th stage in Carcassonne. Julian Alaphilippe, the two-time world champion, celebrated his third place with unexpected fervor, thinking he had won the stage. This celebration, deemed excessive by some, sparked a wave of criticism. But Alaphilippe, true to his fiery temperament, responded with a scathing 11-word sentence that shut his detractors up: “I gave it my all, I don’t care about the critics, I live.”

An eventful day for Alaphilippe

At kilometer 15, Alaphilippe suffered a mass fall that dislocated his left shoulder. In a show of courage, he repositioned his shoulder himself, a gesture worthy of a warrior. Despite the pain, he got back on his bike, rejoined the peloton, and fought his way into a counterattack group. At the finish, he sprinted furiously, ahead of Wout van Aert, but was unaware that Tim Wellens and Victor Campenaerts had already crossed the line, 1’36” and 8 seconds ahead of him, respectively. The reason? A radio malfunction, as his manager Raphaël Meyer explained on France 2: “The microphone wasn’t working, that’s why he thought he was first.”

A divisive celebration

Alaphilippe’s exuberant celebration came as a surprise. Some saw it as a laughable mistake, others as a lack of clarity. Comments poured in on social media: “Alaphilippe overrated,” “a professional error from Tudor” (Jacky Durand, Eurosport). But the Frenchman, far from being put off, took full responsibility. “I sprinted to win, like an idiot, I raised my arms,” he declared with disarming candor on France 2. This authenticity, mixed with panache, won over fans who saluted his courage after a fall that could have ended his Tour.

The answer that hits the mark

Faced with criticism, Alaphilippe delivered a powerful retort: “I gave it my all, I don’t care about the critics, I live.” These 11 words sum up the essence of the champion: a rider who lives for the race, who fights despite the obstacles and ignores judgment. This statement, imbued with determination, silenced the skeptics and inflamed social media, where fans praised his steely mentality. “A true warrior,” “a legend,” read the comments.

A strong comeback for 2025

At 33, Alaphilippe, now with Tudor Pro Cycling, is proving he remains a rock star in the peloton. Despite a winless 2024 season, his panache and resilience on this Tour are a reminder of why he’s a two-time world champion. With a team chasing invitations to major races, he’s flying the Tudor flag high, galvanizing teammates like Marc Hirschi.

In conclusion, Julian Alaphilippe turned a misunderstanding into a moment of glory. His response to the critics, as brief as it was powerful, will remain etched as a symbol of his indomitable character. The 2025 Tour de France is sure to be a hot topic!