World champion Julien Alaphilippe will start the 2022 season with a strong Quick-Step Alfa Vinyl lineup at this week's Tour de la Provence.

The four-day race kicks off with a prologue time trial in Belle Létan on Thursday, and Alaphilippe will wear the first rainbow jersey of 2022 the following day in the opening road stage to Sainte-Marie de la Mer. The Tour de la Provence will conclude next Sunday with a summit finish in Montagne de l'Hure.

Alaphilippe was second overall to Yvan Sosa in last year's Tour de la Provence after four days of action. He went on the offensive on the opening stage, leading teammate Davide Ballerini to a stage win and finishing third in the final stage from Mont Ventoux to Chalet Reynard.

Ballerini again joined the Quick-Step-Alfavinir lineup, and Dries Devenance, Pieter Serry, and newcomers Ilan Van Wilder and Louis Verwecke completed the Quick-Step-Alfavinir team in Provence The team included.

Caspar Asgreen, winner of the 2021 Tour of Flanders, was scheduled to begin his preparations for the Classic in the south of France, but missed the race after testing positive for COVID-19. Quick Step Alphavinil has not yet confirmed his replacement.

"It's the first time in three years that the race will start with a time trial, which should be a good opportunity for Ilan and Julien to get a good result.

"The next two stages will put the sprinters and punchers in the spotlight respectively, but the wind in the region could play an important role. The final day will be the most difficult, and that is where the overall standings will be determined. It will be good to see where the riders are at this point."

A year ago, Alaphilippe used the Tour de la Provence as a warm-up for the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, attacking from a distance, but the two-time world champion prefers to avoid the cobbled classics this season and focus on the Ardennes.

Instead of taking part in the Belgian opening weekend in late February, Alaphilippe will compete in the Von Ardèche Classic and then travel to Italy to compete in the Strade Bianche, Tirreno-Adriatico, and Milano-Sanremo. Alaphilippe will run in the Ituria Basque prior to the Amstel Gold Race, La Flèche Wallonne, and Amstel Gold Race.