Julian Alaphilippe will compete at the Czech Tour as his final preparation for the Olympic Games

Julian Alaphilippe's main goal for this summer remain the Paris Olympic Games. Before that he debuted at the Giro d'Italia according to pre-season plans. What was beyond the expectation was that Alaphilippe completed a splendid race.

In fact, the Frenchman climbed so well that he even his Soudal - Quick-Step teammates and managers attempted to persuade the 31-year-old to join in for Tour de France to support Remco Evenepoel on his GC mission. Yet his resolution to throw everything at the Olympic bid was stronger than calling of his home grand tour.

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At the end, the team boss Patrick Lefevere had no choice but to subdue to his team star's wish. "I understand above all that Julian already has Paris in mind. It will be his last chance to live the Olympic Games, especially at home. Why deprive him of that," Lefevere told L’Equipe in May.

After a well-deserved rest period after Giro, Alaphilippe already looked very strong again at the French championships, but without a result he was looking for. He then continued with a solid showing at the Tour of Slovakia (2.1) where he won a stage and came second overall. However this race took place more than a month before the Olympic road race, which means an opportunity to get some race rhythm ahead of Paris will be more than welcome.

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Luckily enough for Alaphilippe, his team has strong connection to Czech republic where the four-day Czech Tour (2.1) will take place between July 25-28. With a mix of hilly stages and mountains, this will provide the Frenchman with an ideal preparation as Olympic Games are just around the corner.

Accompanied by Josef Cerny, Kasper Asgreen, Mattia Cattaneo, Antoine Huby, James Knox and Luke Lamperti, the Belgian formation lead by Julian Alaphilippe will likely hunt stage success on days 1 and 4. Whether Alaphilippe or Cattaneo will place a bid for the GC remains to be seen, yet it's not very likely.

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