Julian Alaphilippe "was really determined to win" Faun Ardeche Classic

Julian Alaphilippe secured his first win of the season just one month after the start of the new season at Faun-Ardèche Classic. The Soudal-QuickStep rider outpaced David Gaudu in the sprint finish to claim the victory.

“It’s a feeling I’d been missing, I was really determined to win. I worked a lot in recent weeks to be in condition here and this justified that work,” Alapahilippe told Cyclingnews.

He further adds, “When Remi was caught, I told the team I had good legs and I wanted to try to win. Ilan did a super job and then on the last climb, I attacked as though the finish was at the summit.”

He has made a promising start and now he is setting his sights on the Faun Drôme Classic, which is scheduled to take place tomorrow. “It’s reassuring, it confirms the work I’ve done in recent weeks. It’s only the start of the season, and there’s a lot to do, but it’s a bit of a relief all the same,” Alaphilippe concluded.