Etixx-Quick Step rider Julian Alaphilippe has revealed that he has been diagnosed with Mononucleosis, and has said that he will be taking some time off before starting to prepare for next season.

The French rider who finished on the podium of both Fleche Wallonne and Liege-Bastogne-Liege said that he hopes to do well again in the Ardennes Classic. He will team up there with new signing Dan Martin, another rider suited to those races.

Alaphilippe revealed his diagnosis on his blog on the Etixx-Quick Step website:

After the first part of the season I decided with the team to take a period of rest. The French National Championship was my last race before a deserved break, to recover as best as possible and reap the full benefits of a major period of racing. I followed Le Tour de France as a spectator. It was super nice. I restarted again with a few European races before departing for Canada. Unfortunately, that was when things did not go so well for me.

When I arrived in Canada for the races I immediately had the feeling that something was wrong. I didn’t feel really well. But, when you are young, you think it is simply a matter of fatigue and not fully recovering. I didn’t really think about it. I tried to do my job. But, from Canada, we flew immediately to Richmond for the UCI World Championship.

I spent 15 days there, so for me it was a long period mentally. Sadly, the feeling did not improve. In fact, it felt worse. I was training really hard, but my body didn’t respond as I hoped. I rode the Worlds, but since the first pedal stroke I knew it would be bad for me. There was nothing I could do with my condition.

When I returned to Europe, I discovered I had mononucleosis. It was probably present in my body for a few weeks prior. For me, it was a mixed feeling. In one way I was upset, because I couldn’t finish the season the way I wanted, especially with worlds on a road course I really liked.

But, on the other hand, I was relieved. I finally had an answer for why my body was not at the level I expected. It was because of an illness, not because I did something wrong in training or recovery. Now I am focusing on full recovery. I had a few days with the team in meetings in Brussels, and now I will take a small period off before focusing on next season.

I want to do well next year. I also had the chance to meet with Dan Martin, a guy who knows the Ardennes Classics well. It was nice to chat with him and discuss our mutual love for those races. We will see what we can do together. I think I can learn a lot from him and can start the 2016 season on the right path with Etixx – Quick-Step.

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