Dečuninck-Quick Step's Julien Alaphilippe said he intends to return to the Tour de Flanders next season after crashing in his debut race at the Belgian one-day race. Alaphilippe, the world road race champion, was part of a three-man breakaway with Jumbo-Visma's Wout Van Aert and eventual winner Mathieu Van Der Pol (Alpecin-Phoenix) when he collided with a race bike.

"I am happy to have had the opportunity to discover racing as World Champion and to wear the rainbow jersey as part of such a strong team. I hope to be back next year, and I'm looking forward to the next race."

Alaphilippe, who appeared to be speaking into the team radio (possibly bowing his head to speak into the microphone), had contact with a motorcycle during the race, fell off his bike, and broke two fingers. He underwent surgery this week and will be in a cast for the next few weeks before resuming serious training again.

"My race was over in an instant when the collision with the 'moto' happened. "My shoulder hurt, my hand hurt, I was in a lot of pain, and at first I was really scared that something bad had happened.

"Now I can't help but wonder what would have happened if I had kept racing, but all things considered, I can say I was a little lucky.

Rather than being nervous about his first attempt in Flanders, Alaphilippe said that the knowledge of his experienced teammates, combined with his own enthusiasm for the race, allowed him to relax and focus on the race.

"From the first kilometer, I realized how nerve-wracking this race is and how immense a battle it is to hold a good position at all times.

"It may sound strange, but I was calm and close to my teammates who know parcours inside out. I was in a very good mood, focused, fired up, and decided to make the first move with 50 kilometers to go and gave it everything I had. I felt comfortable in Belk and had no problems at all when I tackled the first hill of the day.

Alaphilippe attacked again at Steenbeekdries. Van Aert joined the leading duo on the climb of the Teyenberg with just under 40km to go.

"Things were going smoothly and we were working well together," Alaphilippe said. 'We were able to open up a big gap on the chasing pack and at least get into the top three.'

But after just a few kilometers, he suddenly collapsed to the ground.

"But the race in Flanders made me realize how much I missed the cobbles," he said. 'It's rougher, more brutal, more nerve-wracking, harder, a really special race. It's pure cycling."

It has been a season of ups and downs for the 28-year-old Alaphilippe, but it is no surprise that he is focused on more positive memories and looking to the future, in contrast to his crash in Flanders and premature celebration two weeks ago in Liege-Bastogne-Liege.

"My year was special, beautiful, and strange at the same time. I had some really great moments, some really bad moments, and a roller coaster of emotions on and off the bike." This year, with the pandemic, everyone was thrown into the unknown. That's why it felt like a bonus to be back racing in August after being forced to take months off. "

Alaphilippe said that winning the world title in Imola, Italy, in September was the highlight of his season.

"Being world champion has been my dream for many years," he said.

"On top of that, winning a stage at the Tour de France was a huge relief, and the three days I spent in the yellow jersey and the success I had a few weeks ago in Brabantspaille, I'm very happy with the overall picture.

He definitely denies the "rainbow jersey curse" and looks forward to further success as a road racing world champion.

"Next year I want to honor this beautiful jersey as much as possible.

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