The Swiss team has meticulously prepared its spectacular transfers. Former confidants of Alaphilippe and Hirschi are already part of the support staff, which is now set to grow further.
Julian Alaphilippe is a professional cyclist, but his official job title does not do the Frenchman justice. The two-time world champion, who grew up surrounded by artists as the son of a bandleader, has the aura of a rock star, and he experiences similar fluctuations in form. In the spring, his own team boss made a caustic statement: “Too many parties, too much alcohol.”
Especially in races that are particularly talked about, Alaphilippe often crosses swords with Marc Hirschi. The most promising Swiss rider appears more introverted in his demeanor, but is equally endowed with a penchant for strokes of genius. A few days ago, the duo distanced all of their opponents on the final climb at the Classique San Sebastián, both gambled high in the final sprint, and Hirschi came out on top. In 2020, the Swiss would probably have won the Monument Liège-Bastogne-Liège as well if Alaphilippe had not driven into his ideal line shortly before the finish.
Cycling race like fireworks: Marc Hirschi beats Julian Alaphilippe at the Classique San Sebastián.
Alaphilippe and Hirschi turn cycling races into fireworks. The fact that they would sign for the same lower-class team at almost the same time, as if they were friends, would have sounded almost as implausible just a few days ago as a reconciliation between the brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher. And yet, from 2025, while Oasis goes on tour again, the two cyclists will be racing for the Swiss Equipe Tudor. That could be something.
Feared double leadership at the Ardennes Classiques
Ideally, the two drivers will cooperate so well at the Ardennes Classics, for example, that they will occasionally even put Tadej Pogacar, the biggest star on the scene, under pressure. In any case, they bring the necessary unpredictability with them.
In the most optimistic scenario, Alaphilippe will also shine at the Tour de France, especially since the invitation to the world’s biggest cycling race, which Tudor is currently dependent on, is now almost a formality thanks to the local folk hero. Hirschi, on the other hand, could also fight for stage wins at the Giro d’Italia, after his previous team UAE recently kept him away from three-week tours in an almost criminal manner. Instead, he had to collect points in provincial races.
When he was able to shake up the cycling world: Marc Hirschi in the 2020 season.
Ideally, both riders will find their way back to the form at Tudor that saw them shake up the cycling world around 2020. But what if things turn out differently? If Alaphilippe continues to struggle with himself, as he has recently, when experts suspected that he was suffering from an energy deficit as a result of his low body weight? And if Hirschi again loses touch prematurely in important races, as he occasionally did in the UAE jersey, when he seemed to have limited desire to help Pogacar?
Those responsible for the Swiss team are confident that they can avoid both negative scenarios. And it is to their credit that they have meticulously prepared the transfer coups. Ricardo Scheidecker is already under contract with Tudor. Alaphilippe knows his future sports director well; during his best career phase to date, Scheidecker was one of the key people at Quickstep. Hirschi, on the other hand, is particularly looking forward to head coach Sebastian Deckert at Tudor. He worked closely with him during his peak period at Sunweb.
Relying on proven networks is a promising strategy. Tudor team owner Fabian Cancellara also knows what it means to keep impulsive captains happy – he was once one himself. The two-time Olympic champion had already spoken to Alaphilippe on the phone several times before signing the contract in order to gain his trust. At Quickstep, the Frenchman had recently been increasingly given the feeling that he was in the shadow of young star Remco Evenepoel. That should not happen again at Tudor.
Team Tudor will plan Marc Hirschi’s season schedule more advantageously.
Cancellara has had a close relationship with Hirschi for a long time; he was his personal manager and also comes from Ittigen near Bern. This did not change the fact that the rider took his time before agreeing to work with Tudor. Hirschi also turned out to be a poker player in contract negotiations, who only trusted one person: himself. The Swiss team’s clear intention to plan its season more advantageously spoke in its favor. Hirschi should no longer be constantly on the move, but should find top form at certain points.
Tudor has increased the budget significantly
The largest cycling teams have professionalized the care of their riders in a way that can seem intimidating. The Dutch team Visma, which also has a women’s team, lists 154 employees on its website. Of these, 14 are responsible for nutritional issues, either fully or partially.
Tudor has not yet been able to offer such comprehensive care, but is doing its very best to catch up. The sponsor that gives the company its name, a sister brand of Rolex, has increased the budget significantly. Other sponsors have followed suit. It is now possible to expand the staff. By 2025, another trainer will be added, as well as one or two doctors, two or three communication experts, and several mechanics and soigneurs.
The goals are ambitious and go beyond immediate success. “We want to promote cycling in Switzerland,” says CEO Raphael Meyer. Hirschi could trigger a lot here with his media presence as a local rider. “We want more young people to get on their bikes.” Triggering such a boom would be more sustainable than the comeback of an aging rock band could ever be.