Julian Alaphilippe is usually one of the favorites to win the World Championships, but the defending champion is something of an outsider in Sunday's elite men's road race in Wollongong. But the defending champion himself is something of an outsider in Sunday's elite men's road race in Wollongong.

In the 2022 season, plagued by illness and a serious injury in Liège-Bastogne-Liège, Alaphilippe was making steady progress toward a world championship at the Vuelta a España.

Alaphilippe dislocated his shoulder in the accident and has not raced since, but quickly announced his intention to head to Australia to try to win the rainbow jersey for a third consecutive year.

Speaking in Wollongong on Wednesday, Alaphilippe admitted that he did not come into the race in the same form as when he won Imola in 2020 and Leuven last year.

"I would have liked to arrive under other circumstances, but I don't think anyone can doubt my mental state; I am not 100%, but I am here to hurt myself and do my best," said Alaphilippe, according to L'Equipe (open in new tab).

"I don't intend to have the worst result on Sunday, but there is no guarantee of the same. Still, I think I have the power to influence the race and help everyone if necessary. Maybe I am not the favorite to win the race as much as in previous years. I'm not the only leader, I'm one of the leaders, and that's okay. I have a group of players next to me who are in good shape, so we'll play as a group."

Thomas Voeckler's selection includes Grand Prix de Quebec winner Benoit Kosnefrois. He was a late call-up to the team, although he was set to miss the World Championships.

On Wednesday, Voeckler confirmed Kosnefrois' inclusion in the nine-member elite men's road race squad, with Remi Cavagna replacing the AG2R Citroën rider in the individual time trial and mixed relay.

The French team also includes Romain Bardet, Pavel Sivakov, Christophe Laporte, and Valentin Madouas, but Alaphilippe is clearly the fulcrum despite his slow preparation and doubts.

Alaphilippe, of Quick-Step Alphavinil, missed the Tour de France after suffering two ribs, a fractured scapula, and a punctured lung in a crash in Liège-Bastogne-Liège; in late July, he returned to victory in the Tour de Wallonie's Mule de Huy, but but his season was again interrupted by a diagnosis of COVID-19.

After a strong ride early in the Vuelta in support of eventual winner Lemco Evenpoel, Alaphilippe suffered more bad luck on the road to Cabo de Gata on stage 11.

"Many times this season I thought about putting the bike in the garage and moving on to 2023. I am ready to fight to keep the world champion's jersey on the team," said Alaphilippe.

"I am highly motivated and relaxed. I didn't come here in the best condition, that's for sure. I got injured in the Vuelta. It was a blow to leave the Vuelta because I was getting better and better. But I managed to pull through with a dislocated shoulder, so I ended up just missing a few days on the bike.

Given the state of the season, Alaphilippe insisted that he would go into Sunday's race without any pressure.

"The only time I felt pressure was two years ago in Imola.

"Last year nothing happened. I wanted to give it my all, but most of all I was ready to lose. But there is no pressure."