"His chances are still coming" - Patrick Lefevere gets roadside view of vintage Julian Alaphilippe performance at Giro d'Italia

Although the stage win eluded him, Julian Alaphilippe was back somewhere near his best on the Strade Bianche inspired stage 6 of the 2024 Giro d'Italia. The Frenchman narrowly missed out on victory to Pelayo Sanchez in the sprint for the line.

Getting a roadside view of the former world champion's vibrant and attacking display, was his Soudal - Quick-Step team boss and most vocal critic, Patrick Lefevere, who was spotted on soigneur duty, handing out a bottle to Alaphilippe mid-stage.

"Unfortunately we didn't win, but it is a good boost for morale. Julian is working hard, is sharp and the Giro is still more than two weeks away, so his chances are still coming," Lefevere told Eurosport after the stage, clearly happy to see Alaphilippe back at the front of one of cycling's biggest races after a difficult period. "He loves Italy and he will get better every day."

On his own duties as bottle boy, the team boss was happy to help. "I only arrived this morning, so I haven't contributed much yet," Lefevere laughs. "I gave five water bottles and that was basically it. It takes a lot of manpower on rides like this, so they even needed this old man.”