Julian Alaphilippe triumphed in the elite men’s road race for the second year in a row after the Frenchman’s repeated attacks were rewarded with a solo victory at the International Cycling Union (UCI) World Road Championships, concluded this Sunday in Flanders.
The French team sought to create a tough race on the 268.3 kilometer course, which featured two laps of a circuit in Flanders and eight laps in Leuven. Alaphilippe attacked in the last 40 kilometers and left the big favorites like the local Wout van Aert aside, who did not respond.
As the race entered its final 20 kilometers, Alaphilippe launched the first of three attacks, and the defending champion reduced the size of the group with his first two attempts. The silver went to the Dutch Dylan van Baarle and the bronze went to the Danish Michael Valgre.
The double starter of the world is 29 years old and achieved the 37th triumph in his sports career. He did not attend the Tokyo Olympics to prepare this world crown. Alaphilippe prevailed with a time of 5 h 56 min 34 s.
Only 68 riders finished in the grueling road test. For America, the best performance was put by the American Neilson Powless with a magnificent fifth place. His teammate Lawson Craddoock finished at 57, while Canadian Guillaume Boivin finished at 17th place. Colombians Esteban Chaves and Nelson Soto finished at 64th and 65th, respectively.
With this test, the Road Cycling World Championship ended, which for a week and within the framework of the centenary of these classics, had an excellent venue on Belgian roads.