Julien Alaphilippe, who has always turned his back on the pressure and expectations of winning the Tour de France overall, suggested to La Gazzetta dello Sport (opens in new tab) that he would one day aim for the yellow jersey and compete in the Giro d'Italia

Double World Championships.

The double world champion is enjoying a quiet winter break, spending time at home in Andorra with his partner Marion Ruth and their baby boy Nino, while publishing his autobiography in France.

"Becoming a father is the most beautiful thing in my life," Alaphilippe told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

"Nino is five months old and growing up nicely. He is an example of pure happiness. Only when that happens will you know what it means. It changes your life."

Alaphilippe always seems to live and race on emotion, trying to please the crowd with his spectacular attacks, and his first world title in Imola in 2020 took him to the top of the sport, and his second rainbow jersey is confirmation.

"I feel more confident and relaxed compared to last winter and after my victory in Imola," he explained.

"Last year I needed a lot of time to understand and accept everything I did. I hurt my hand in the Tour of Flanders and when I started training it was still sore. Now I know how to manage things without putting extra pressure or stress on myself."

Alaphilippe targeted the biggest spring classics from Milan - San Remo to Liège - Bastogne - Liège. He won La Flèche Wallonne and finished second in Liège, losing to Tadei Pogachar, but before that he was not at his best.

In 2022, he chose to focus on the Ardennes Classics. He will return to the Tour de France, hunt stages, and perhaps spend a few days in the yellow jersey.

Alaphilippe held the yellow jersey for two weeks at the 2019 Tour, and when he eventually finished fifth overall, he sparked hopes of his first overall Tour de France win since 1985 at home. He is not yet in contention for the overall title, but perhaps in a few years after he tests his Grand Tour mettle at the Giro d'Italia.

"In 2022 I will concentrate on the classics and the Tour, but I want to discover the Giro as soon as possible," Alaphilippe said.

"Never say never," he replied when asked if he would one day try to win the Tour.

"You should think about it before the end of your career. But I don't want to end my career with regrets that I didn't try."

Not since Bernard Hinault in 1985 has a Frenchman won the Tour de France, but Alaphilippe appears to be growing without the burden of his career.

"I never raced with the intention of winning a Grand Tour, so I didn't have the same pressure. I can understand why Thibaut Pinot and Romain Bardet had a tough time.

"When I was a kid, I just rode with my friends for fun and never dreamed of competing in the Tour de France. Even as a junior I never imagined I would turn pro."