Julian Alaphilippe was one of the big favourites at the star of Strade Bianche. The Frenchman of Soudal-Quick-Step had shown good legs in the French classics prior to Strade Bianche, most notably winning Faun-Ardeche Classic, and had big hopes for Strade, but all came to nothing.
"It's always a pleasure to be here, but I didn't have a great day. I kept trying to start the strips in a good position, but on Monte Santa Marie, where you have to have great legs, I immediately felt I didn't have them," said Julian Alaphilippe in the post-race conference.
The Frenchman had shown himself close to the front in early sectors, but as the race blew up over Monte Sante Marie, the hurt became too much for the World Champion who could not follow the leading groups. He rode into Siena in 43rd place, and will hope to improve during next week's Tirreno-Adriatico.
This leaves Alaphilippe with another failed attempt at winning Strade Bianche and doesn't alleviate the pressure that the team has been putting on him to have good results, especially after Patrick Lefevere publicly criticized the former World Champion.
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