He won two world championships, a Sanremoone Strade Bianche, three Freccia Vallone, six stages at the Tour and much more. Nevertheless Julian Alaphilippe he was on the gridiron, also harshly criticized by the volcanic owner of his team, Soudal-Quick Step, Patrick Lefevere.
And then the The 31-year-old Frenchman has chosen new terrain to shine again, that Tour of Italy that he had never faced. Already among the most active in recent days, Alaphilippe he took the 12th stage by force with arrival in Fanowon alone after having separated another rider who would have deserved a lot. Mirco Maestri, captain of Polti-Kometawho went on the run with the former world champion and only surrendered on a very hard climb with 11 to go. (in the photo: Alaphilippe and Maestri at the arrival | by M. Borserini)
Alaphilippe then arrived alone in the Marche town, making that count mix of legs and experience which made him one of the strongest and most loved champions of pre-covid cycling. Behind his back Maestri failed to take second placesucked in by the counterattacking duo formed by Narvaez (Ineos) e Hermans (Alpecin), second and third at half a minute. Then Valgren and Scaronithen the small group with Maestri regulated by Trentin in front of “our” Simon Clarkethe Australian from Cantello.
The main group, Tadej’s Pogacar, controlled the breakaway, finishing at 5’25” by the winner avoiding any movement in the rankings: the first 15 at the start are also top 15 at the finish. The other shirts are also unchanged with “Pogi” also leader in the mountains and the Italians Tiberi and Milano in white and cyclamen respectively.
Another Friday space for sprinters with the Riccione-Cento: 179 kilometers without not even a little climb. The outcome seems obvious, i.e. a group sprint in which Fabio Jacobsen, who retired after his fall on Wednesday, will not be present. Milan and Merlier, Groves and Bauhaus among the most anticipated, but who knows what Giovanni Lonardi cannot give Polti that feat that Maestri came close to today.
