After five days of battle, the Tour of Slovakia ended this Sunday with the 5th stage and “queen stage” between Liptovsky Mikulas – Strbské Pleso (142 km). And at the top of the Strbské Pleso climb (10km at 4.5%) it is Felix Engelhardt (Jayco AlUla) who won. At the end of a suspenseful finale, on a difficult but not very steep climb, the German managed to escape from the group of favorites to come and win this last stage.
When Julian Alaphilippe won the 3rd stage
Schmid crowned, Alaphilippe offensive but beaten
It’s even a double for the Jayco AlUla on this final stage, since the Yellow jersey Mauro Schmid finished 2nd. Julian Alaphilippe (Soudal Quick-Step), who was two seconds behind the Swiss this morning, went on the offensive on numerous occasions, but was never able to break away from his former teammate. The Frenchman finished 3rd in the stage, in the wheel of the Yellow Jersey.
So no worries in the general classification for Mauro Schmidwho wins this 68th Tour of Slovakia. He is accompanied on the final podium by Alaphilippewho will not double the stake after his victory in the event in 2018, and by his teammate Engelhardtwho made a great comeback thanks to his stage victory.
