In the running for a fourth victory in five years on La Flèche Wallonne, Julian Alaphilippe could not raise his arms this Wednesday at the top of the Mur de Huy. And for the first time in six participations, the double world champion did not even have the honor of getting on the podium since he crossed the line in fourth position, preceded by the Belgian Dylan Teuns (Bahrain Victorious), Spaniard Alejandro Valverde (Movistar Team) and Russian Aleksandr Vlasov (BORA-hansgrohe). Never in a position to play for the win in this 86th edition, the rider from the Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl Team spoke just after the finish.Video – Defending champion, Alaphilppe finished 4th in the Flèche Wallonne Julian Alaphilippe will not not the quadruple on the Flèche wallonne! The French world champion takes 4th place, Dylan Teuns wins at the top of the Huy wall #FlecheWallonne #LesRP pic.twitter.com/BEU9cbwAyA — Eurosport France (@Eurosport_FR) April 20, 2022 “Even if I had been in the wheel of Dylan Teuns, I don’t think I could have won” “I’m relieved”, he confides when asked about his first feeling after this Flèche Wallonne 2022. “Relieved that the race is over … I obviously had a lot of pressure on my shoulders before the start, but I was focused on trying to have the best race possible and not having any regrets. huge work today (Wednesday), it was beautiful to see, I want to thank them. Afterwards, in the end, it was the legs that spoke, I did what I could. Even if I had been in the wheel of Dylan Teuns, I don’t think I could have won, it wouldn’t have changed much. I have no regrets.” He gave absolutely everything out there and we are proud of him 💠#FlecheWallonne pic.twitter.com/9ltEvraHg0 — Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl Team (@qst_alphavinyl) April 20, 2022 ..” Admitting that he felt “the pressure increases from year to year” approaching this race, Julian Alaphilippe also specified that the more difficult start to the season experienced by his team had had an influence on the pre-race. “With everything we’ve heard about us, our start to the season, and this and that… Of course I would have liked to win for myself, for the team, for everyone, but as I said, I have no regrets, the strongest has won. Liège? The form is there. I’m not completely out either… Admittedly, I’ve already been stronger here, but I I did what I could and I hope things will go better in Liège”, he concludes.