Bad luck continues to pursue Julian Alaphilippe in 2022. While he was just beginning to return to form on this Vuelta – raced in a role of luxury lieutenant for its leader Remco Evenepoel – the Frenchman of the Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl Team crashed and then retired on Wednesday during the 11th stage. Victim of a “dislocation of the right shoulder” according to the press release from his team, the double world champion must undergo additional examinations this Thursday at the Herentals hospital in Belgium. If at this stage “no deadline has been set for his recovery” – which may give hope for a return for the road race of the next World Championships – his general manager Patrick Lefevere spoke to Het Nieuwsblad on the probable unavailability of the Wolfpack star.Video – Julian Alaphilippe finished La Vuelta in an ambulance! “The impact on Remco Evenepoel is enormous. Alaphilippe was his providential man” “In the best case, he will be back on his bike in a fortnight. For the World Championships, it will probably be too short, but he may be able to prepare in time for the Tour of Lombardy and the Italian races. It’s bad luck for Julian (Alaphilippe), he has seen more hospitals than he has run this year”, commented with regret Lefevere, who sees one of Remco Evenepoel’s most precious supporters fly away to help the Belgian defend his red jersey. “The impact on Remco is enormous. Julian Alaphilippe was his providential man, who put Remco in an armchair”.