Julien Alaphilippe emerged from the AG2R La Mondiale bus used by the French team for the World Championships with big bags under his bloodshot eyes, the effects of a six-and-a-half-hour ride in the rain clearly taking their toll.

"I didn't have eyes like this this this morning, come to think of it," he joked when a genuinely concerned reporter pointed out.

Alaphilippe was worn out after a long and exhausting race and a long and exhausting season. The Frenchman had a sensational spring, winning Milan-San Remo, Strade Bianche, and La Fourche Wallonne, and by the end of April he had nine wins.

In the summer Tour de France, he exceeded expectations and took the lead with two days to go, taking two stage wins.

However, he failed miserably at the World Championships in the fall.

"I've had difficult races before, but that one will be remembered for a long time," Alaphilippe told reporters from the bus steps.

"It was a day of suffering like I have rarely experienced since the start of my career. I finished quite a while ago and I'm still cold."

"I'm still cold," Alaphilippe said.

Alaphilippe finished 28th, 2:26 behind winner Mads Pedersen of Denmark.

The Frenchman led the peloton early and midway through the 14 km Harrogate circuit. However, he was unable to react to an attack by Mathieu van der Pol (Netherlands) and stalled with 36 km to go.

"I have no regrets. I really gave it my all. I followed Thomas' [Voeckler's] instructions, but I was beaten by stronger riders. It was a difficult day for everyone. It was a difficult day for everyone," Alaphilippe said.

The 27-year-old Alaphilippe did not say that he was at the mercy of the weather.

"I don't like these conditions. I knew I would suffer today. There are no excuses. That's the way it is."

"On the approach to the circuit I was already starting to feel the cold. My teammates were very good to me, giving me food and helping me change my clothes so I could race the way I needed to. But when it's cold, it's cold and it's hard to do anything about it. Again, this is not the weather conditions I prefer. We couldn't change much. We did it in La Pedale."

Alaphilippe has had a great season, being totally unstoppable at the top of his game, and his expectations for the World Championships must have been high... It was always difficult to "peak" for the third time, but the fatigue he felt 12 months ago in Innsbruck To cope, he decided not to participate in the post-Tour criterium and to race only six days for the World Championships.

"I am not sad or disappointed at all. On the contrary, I am very happy to have finished the race," said Alaphilippe. I am very happy to have finished the race," said Alaphilippe.

"I am proud of the way the French team drove. I am disappointed with the result because I expected a lot more, but we did what we had to do. I didn't expect a miracle in this weather."

Alaphilippe's season is not over yet. He will be competing in Milan-Torino and will take on Monumento at Il Lombardia in two weeks.

His New Year's holiday plans will be announced next week. But before he returns to the bus at Harrogate, he has one last thing to say first: "I'm glad it's over."