Julian Alaphilippe will be honored by the Portuguese Cycling Federation with the Prestige Award for the 51st edition of the Volta ao Algarve.

A two-time world champion, the French cyclist from Tudor will receive the distinction “on his first time racing in the Volta ao Algarve, a presence that brings prestige to the competition”, according to the organization.

The award will be presented by the president of the Portuguese Cycling Federation, Cândido Barbosa, before the start of the second stage in Lagoa on Thursday at 12:00.

At the age of 32, Julian Alaphilippe is preparing for his first season with Tudor after leaving Soudal Quick-Step. With an extensive career in cycling, the Gaul became a two-time world champion in the 2021 race in Belgium, repeating his triumph in 2020 in Italy.

In addition to this memorable record, he has six stage wins in the Tour de France, one in the Vuelta and one in the Giro. He also won the Milan-Sanremo Monument (2019), the Strade Bianche (2019), the San Sebastián Classic (2018) and it’s a three time champion at La Flèche Wallone.

In 2019, he also received the “Veló d’Or” award for best cyclist in the world.

Julian Alaphilippe succeeds Geraint Thomas, winner of the 2024 Volta ao Algarve Prestige Award. Previous winners included Fabian Cancellara, Alberto Contador and Tom Boonen (2016), Tony Martin (2017), Philippe Gilbert (2018), Vicenzo Nibali (2020), Sérgio Paulinho (2021), Hilaire van der Schueren (2022) and Alexander Kristoff (2023).

The award was not given in 2019.