Relieved of his rainbow jersey, Julian Alaphilippe flew away. After a long mano to mano in the lead with David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ), the Soudal-QuickStep rider went to snatch the Ardèche-Classic (168.6 km) at the finish, before the Drôme-Classic (191, 5 km) scheduled for Sunday. A hell of a breath of fresh air.
After a year 2022 in hell, marked in particular by a frightening fall on Liège-Bastogne-Liège, the former world champion 2020 and 2021 confirmed that he always had to be counted on. “Alaf” made the pride of the champion speak, without his world master jersey for the first time since the Tour de France 2020. The Dane Mattias Jensen completes the podium.
“It relieves a little”
“It was a feeling that I missed a lot, to find the victory. I was eager to get there, confided with a smile the winner of the day on The channel L’Equipe. I have worked a lot these last weeks to be in good condition. It validates the work done in recent weeks. (…) It’s still only the start of the season, there’s still a lot to do. But it’s a bit of a relief. »
The two breakaway partners got away 24 kilometers from the finish. Julien Alaphilippe, who “had good vibes today (Saturday)”, showed his burst of speed in the home stretch after having resisted Gaudu in the ultimate difficulty of the day. The double world champion had not lifted his arms for more than seven months and a victory in the Tour de Wallonie. With his first win of the season, his 40th career win, he resumed his leadership role. A good omen for the future.
