The fifteenth stage of the Grande Boucle was truly crazy for Julian Alaphilippe (Tudor Pro Cycling Team). The Frenchman first dislocated his shoulder in a crash, then using a maneuver he learned in the hospital by himself, he repositioned the bone on the roadside and finally crossed the finish line with his arms raised as if he had won. Alaphilippe was laughing hysterically after the finish line, thinking he had done something stupid, but then with clarity he retraced the stage and reflected on the fall and the fear of having to withdraw due to too serious damage.

"It was a bit of a crazy day. I was feeling good from the first kilometers, but I crashed and dislocated my shoulder. I immediately understood it would be a complicated situation because I've already had both shoulders operated on, so I know that pain. I remembered the maneuver they did in the hospital and managed to put it back in place. I only know it made a nice 'click' and everything returned to normal."

The entire scene was captured by cameras and the public, and Alaphilippe was described as an authentic bicycle gladiator, with extraordinary support at the finish line. "After fixing my shoulder, it was like doing a time trial to get back to the group. And then there was a great stage with Michael Storer in the breakaway, which was the team's objective."

Cancellara's team had decided on its strategy, but without considering Alaphilippe's extraordinary performance, who raced with incredible conviction even after repositioning his shoulder. "Unfortunately, my radio wasn't working anymore after the crash, so I tried to do the best sprint possible, thinking about the stage victory. Like an idiot, I raised my arms, but there were other riders in front. I didn't know... I sprinted as if I was going to win the stage. It was Wout Van Aert who told me: there are guys in front. And I replied: Thank you, but I don't know who won. It could have ended better, but I could have also gone home. So, it went well like this. I can't blame myself because the radio wasn't working."

After arriving in Carcassonne, Alaphilippe underwent medical checks that ruled out significant shoulder damage. "I went for X-rays: there are no tears, no complications. It's just painful. For 30 seconds after the crash, I thought it was over, because I know that pain. And it really took my breath away. But I took my time, sat down and, as I said, recovered. I knew how to do the right movement to fix my shoulder."

The incident is now behind him, and the Frenchman is confident and will return to attack in the coming days to try to win a stage. "Of course I'll try again. Tomorrow I'll take advantage of the rest day and try not to raise my arms too much to take clothes. So, I'll stay calm. But actually, only some movements are uncomfortable. For the rest, I can get in the saddle and sprint, and we'll definitely try again."