Julien Alaphilippe (Soudal-Quick Step) admitted that his stunning uphill group sprint victory in the second stage of the Criterium du Dauphiné was a timely and significant confidence boost after months of setbacks.

The former world champion overtook Richard Kalapas (EF Education-Easypost) in the final meters on Monday to secure his first WorldTour victory since April 2022.

Since his victory in Ituria-Basque, Alaphilippe suffered a horrific crash in Liege-Bastogne-Liege last year, breaking his shoulder blade and two ribs and puncturing his lung. He then collapsed at COVID-19 last June, missed the Tour de France, and crashed at the Vuelta a España before the world championships, dislocating his shoulder.

This year, more crashes and injuries watered down Alaphilippe's fightback, culminating in a knee injury at the Tour de Flanders that effectively ruined his spring classics campaign. Sourdal-Quickstep coach Patrick Lefebvre was repeatedly scathing about his poor performance, highlighting the Frenchman's woes.

Alaphilippe's success in the Dauphiné, his first since 2019 when he last won a mountain stage, represents a comeback for the Frenchman and a good sign for his participation in the Tour de France.

"I haven't been this good in a long time," Alaphilippe told L'Equipe newspaper, admitting he doubts his ability to regain the kind of form that brought him two world titles and six Tour de France stage wins.

"I certainly had my doubts, but when you go through difficult times, the only thing you have to do is take a good look at yourself," he said.

"Sometimes you have to know how to accept that you are far from your level. I never stopped believing. If I had, I would not have won here. It is important to have a strong head. This victory proves that I have a strong head."

Alaphilippe has shined at the Tour de France in recent years, winning two stages and the mountains jersey in 2018, and after wearing the yellow jersey for so long, he had two more stages and a remarkable fifth place overall in 2019, and again in 2020 and 2021. stage wins and wearing yellow.

After being forced to sit out last year, hopes are high that Alaphilippe will not only return to the Tour, but will be able to leave further marks in the world's biggest race.

"I'm simply hopeful. Nothing is predictable and I'm used to adapting. We're making progress, but we're not getting carried away. I have to stay calm," he said, explaining his two-handed air-pad celebration on Monday.

"That was behind the gesture at the finish line. I didn't win the Tour today. I just won a good stage of the Dauphiné. But I haven't felt this good in a long time, and this victory will allow me to race more freely."