World champion cyclist Alaphilippe to skip Tokyo Olympics

<p>PARIS &mdash; World champion cyclist Julian Alaphilippe has decided to skip the Tokyo Olympics, where he was expected to be a medal contender in the road race.</p>
<p>The French rider <a href="Julian Alaphilippe (@alafpolak) • Instagram photos and videos">said</a> Friday it was a personal choice reached in agreement with the national team.</p>
<p>Alaphilippe is due to become a father for the first time before the Olympics open on July 23, one day before the road race.</p>
<p>He was fourth at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games and will be only 32 years old at the 2024 Paris Olympics.</p>
<p>Alaphilippe has been in good form in the one-day classic races this year, winning his third La Flèche Wallonne title and placing second at Liège-Bastogne-Liège. He’s expected to return to Belgium to defend his world title in September.</p>
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