Julian Alaphilippe: "I opened my sprint a bit too early"

Julian Alaphilippe has had a complicated start to the season, struggling in Strade Bianche and Tirreno-Adriatico before missing out on Milano-Sanremo due to illness. With the main goals of his spring coming shortly however, he seems to finally be hitting peak form as he climbed with the very best yesterday at Itzulia Basque Country.

“It was a very hard stage, with a big tempo and some steep climbs," Alaphilippe said. The third stage of the race presented a steep set of climbs well suited to him, which he has ridden over strongly without ever looking in too much distress. As the kilometers went on and Remco Evenepoel's attacks, weren't successful, the team changed tactics and the Belgian attempted to leadout Alaphilippe into another win.

"Remco did an incredible amount of work once again and brought me in a good position for the finish, but I opened my sprint a bit too early and one rider was just stronger," he added. Despite looking to be on his way for success, he was taken over the line by Pello Bilbao.

"No victory today, but I don’t have any regrets. The most important thing is that my condition is good, and other opportunities will come until the end of the race," he concluded. Today will be another opportunity for the World champion to go for a possible stage win, but he will be most satisfied with his climbing performance, as he looks ready to tackle the Ardennes classics.