Julian Alaphilippe to kick season off in Provence

As they eye the spring classics, the Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl Team leader will headline the lineup for the French race.

The Tour de la Provence begins this thursday and will take the peloton through 4 days of riding in the south of France, featuring opportunities for all kinds of riders, and is a popular early season destination for some of the best riders in the world to kick off their season.

“It’s for the first time in three years that the race starts with a time trial, and it should be something for Kasper, Ilan, and maybe Julian, they have a chance of getting a nice result there. The next two stages should have the sprinters and the puncheurs respectively in the spotlight, but the wind in the region could play an important role, so we’ll see how things will go there," said Geert Van Bondt, DS of the Belgian team.

The announcement was made hours before the team once again gave news on the lineup, as Tour des Flandres champion Kasper Asgreen has had a positive Covid-19 test and will no longer be at the start.

GC wouldn't ordinarily be a goal, but surely Julian Alaphilippe will be testing himself in the final day that is set to end the race in the Montagne du Lure. "The last day is the hardest one, and that’s where the general classification will be decided. It will be good to see where our riders are at this point in the season”.

With that being the day where most gaps will be made, Alaphilippe will likely see himself riding alongside the likes of Nairo Quintana and Ivan Sosa, the last two winners of the race who will be at the startline. Davide Ballerini, who won two stages last year, will also be at the start in an attempt to get back to his winning ways.

The Quick-Step team will have the presence aswell of Dries Devenyns, Pieter Serry, Ilan Van Wilder and Louis Vervaeke. It is not know yet if there will be a substitute for Asgreen.