Julien Alaphilippe's record hopes of a third world championship win were prematurely ended in the elite men's road race when a crash forced him to retire before the peloton reached the finish circuit around Zurich.

The Frenchman crashed with 218 km to go. Shortly thereafter, he injured his left shoulder and abandoned the race.

Alaphilippe's crash was not shown on live television, but national coach Thomas Voeckler quickly confirmed to France Télévision that the leader had abandoned.

Alaphilippe was taken by ambulance for treatment of his injured shoulder, but Voeckler told France Télévision that he believed his rider had suffered no other serious injuries.

Pero Bilbao also fell in the same crash, but the Spaniard was able to rejoin the race.

Alaphilippe was the leader of a strong French team that included Valentin Maduas, Romain Bardet, and David Gaudoux.

After a difficult season since winning his second world title in Leuven three years ago, Alaphilippe bounced back in 2024 with a stunning stage win at the Giro d'Italia in Fano. Last month it was announced that he will move from Soudal-Quick Step to Tudor Pro Cycling in 2025.

The 32-year-old was warming up for the Zurich World Championships after finishing third in the Grand Prix de Montréal behind favorite Tadej Pogachar.

More to follow...

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