Julian Alaphilippe went on the attack again this Saturday on the Tour of Slovakia. And his strength paid off as the former world champion won the yellow jersey, Anders Foldager. He remains 2nd overall, but he is only 2 seconds behind the new leader, Mauro Schmid, on the eve of the final day of racing.
Another great day for Julian Alaphilippe on the Tour of Slovakia. Certainly, the French puncher from Soudal did not manage to win this Saturday in Ruzomberok and had to settle for 7th place at the end of the queen stage of the Slovak event.
The fact remains that the former world champion started the fight on the final climb, behind the breakaways. And his attack hit the mark, since he managed to distance himself from the leader in the general classification, Anders Foldager (Team Jayco).
Julian Alaphilippe 2nd overall, 2 seconds behind
Alaphilippe, 2nd, 10 seconds behind the Dane before this 4th stage, beat the young yellow jersey (22 years old) by 30 seconds on the finish line and did well in the general standings.
Julian Alaphilippe takes resounding revenge at the Tour of Slovakia (video)
The 32-year-old rider remains in second place in the standings but is only two seconds behind the new leader, Mauro Schmid.
The Swiss rider from Team Jayco was part of the breakaway and finished 6th in the stage this Saturday, 17 seconds behind the winner, the German Johannes Adiametz (Lotto).
For his part, the Montluçonnais retains his green leader’s jersey in the points classification. And Alaf’ has one day left to knock his former Swiss teammate, Mauro Schmid, from first place and win again in this event which he won for the first time in 2018.
A final stage which arrives at altitude
The finish of this 5th and final stage, 145 kilometres long, will be at altitude, after three climbs of a hill listed in the first category (7.8 km at an average of 4.7%) and a relatively significant positive elevation gain (2,500 m).
Who will be the best climber between Schmid, Alaphilippe and Foldager, now 3rd overall and not eliminated from the game with only 22 seconds behind? The games are open but betting on Alaphilippe, back at a good level since the Giro, could prove profitable…
Raphaël Rochette
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