Despite calls from Remco Evenepoel, he chose to skip the Tour de France to better prepare for the cycling event at the Paris Olympics. But while waiting for the final selection which will be revealed on July 8 by Thomas Voeckler, Julian Alaphilippe shows that he is in good shape.
Already very strong in the final of the French Championships in Saint-Martin-de-Landelles but marked by the collective strength of the Decathlon-AG2R runners who protected Paul Lapeira, the Soudal Quick-Step runner shows his advantage over the routes of the Tour of Slovakia.
VICTORY FOR JULIAN ALAPHILIPPE! The Frenchman from Soudal-QuickStep won the 3rd stage of the Tour of Slovakia after attacking in a winding final kilometer! He beat his compatriot and teammate Paul Magnier. #OkoloSlovenska pic.twitter.com/NlstKpAdow
— 🚴 The Kings of the Peloton 🚲 (@LRoisDuPeloton) June 28, 2024
Second on Wednesday in the team time trial and 4th on Thursday, the double world champion (2020-2021) won solo this Friday on the 3rd stage of the Tour of Slovakia in Dubnica. He beat his young Soudal Quick-Step teammate, Paul Magnier, by two seconds. Alaphilippe is 10 seconds behind the leader and winner of the day before, Anders Foldager (Jayco AlUla) in the general classification. While it is of course necessary to put things into perspective given the modest field of this Tour of Slovakia, he nevertheless gains confidence with this 2nd victory of the season after the one won during the 12th stage of the Giro d’Italia.
The 4th stage of this 68th tour of Slovakia which takes place this Saturday between Partizanske and Ruzomberok (184 km) will be the most difficult of the week, with an elevation gain of slightly more than 3,000 m.
