Highly anticipated on Thursday but beaten by three runners in Hlohovec, Julian Alaphilippe surprised everyone on Friday by winning the 3rd stage of the Tour of SlovakiaThe highly technical finish in the streets of Dubnica nad Váhom inspired the former double world champion, who surprised the sprinters and won by a few lengths ahead of… his teammate and compatriot. Paul Magnierthe Soudal Quick-Step thus achieving a superb double. “I am delighted to have been able to continue the tradition”explain Julian Alaphilippe on the website of Wolfpackthe Frenchman referring to the fact that his team has always won at least one stage on the Tour of Slovakia since 2018.
Julian Alaphilippe enjoyed his victory in Slovakia
“The fact that we finished first and second makes it even better”
“The guys did a fantastic job today (Friday) and in the finale I felt it was a good opportunity to try something and surprise the others. I pulled out all the stops and “I’m happy that we were able to do it. The fact that we finished first and second makes it even better.”continues the one who has moved up to second place in the general classification, 10 seconds behind the Dane Anders Foldager (Team Jayco AlUla). “I made a nice jump in the standings after this victory, but I’m not thinking about the general classification at the moment. We’ll continue to take it day by day and see where we are on Sunday.”concludes one of the major absentees from the Tour de France 2024.
