On Friday, during the 3rd stage of the Tour of Slovakia, Julian Alaphilippe took his second victory of the season, ahead of Paul Magnier.
Nothing like a victory to forget 24 hours before the Grand Départ that you are not participating in the Tour de France. Julian Alaphilippe did not deprive himself of this pleasure. Certainly, if the 32-year-old French puncher who finished 5th in the Grande Boucle in 2019 will not be taking part in the Tour this year, it is mainly because of his desire not to draw on his resources after having already competed in the Giro and not take the risk of arriving exhausted for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
However, it was not easy on the eve of the big start in Florence to see his team Soudal-Quick Step climb onto the podium during the presentation without him. So as if to take his mind off things, the leader of the Belgian team on the Tour of Slovakia this week decided to shine and remind people on the occasion of the 3rd stage that he was still capable of raising his arms on the finish line.
Alaphilippe at the finish
A feeling he had not experienced since May 16th when he won the 12th stage of the Giro after a magnificent solo performance and 126 kilometers spent alone at the front. Alaphilippe had thus put an end to a year and a half of drought. On Friday, between Piest’any and Dubnica nad Vahom (161.2 km), the native of Saint-Amand-Montrond wrote his success in a completely different way. “Alafpolak” actually waited this time until the very last kilometer to leave the leading group and not be caught again.
One of the big absentees on the French side of this Tour de France which will start on Saturday afternoon from Florence, in Italy, wins with two seconds ahead of his young compatriot and teammate within the Soudal team. Quick Step Paul Magnier (20 years old), whose first Grande Boucle will wait. The second success of the season for the now runner-up to Anders Foldager (10 seconds), already focused on the Paris 2024 Games. Failing to try to make a name again on the Tour.
