Tour de France - Julian Alaphilippe: I wanted so much to get a stage victory for my late father
Aug 31 2020 03:53 am CET
Photo of Julian Alaphilippe © Deceuninck-Quick-Step Cycling Team / Getty Images
Deceuninck-Quick-Step's Julian Alaphilippe has taken the victory of the second stage in the Tour de France and climbed to the top of the General Classification on an emotional day for him.
The Frenchman launched a strong attack on the last climb of the day and was followed by Marc Hirschi (Sunweb) and Adam Yates (Mitchelton-Scott). The trio arrived to the last stretch together, but the Frenchman launched a strong attack that could not be matched by his two companions, taking his fifth victory in the race.
This is the first victory of the year for Alaphilippe and the first one after his father passed away in June, and that's why he celebrated pointing to the sky and lived emotional moments after the finish line. "I wanted so much to get a stage victory for my late father," said an emotional Alaphilippe. "This was my main goal coming into the race. Everything that comes from now on is a bonus, but I wanted this victory for him and knowing that I got it makes me so happy.
"Having Kasper in the breakaway put us in the perfect position, as we could wait for the final climb. Then Dries pushed a steady tempo on Col d'Èze, before Bob took over on Quatre Chemines. This incredible effort of my team was instrumental in the victory I got.
This is the second consecutive year in which the rider gets to wear the Yellow Jersey, after his superb feat at the 2019 edition of the race in which he got to wear it for eleven stages. "Winning in the Tour always feels special," Alaphilippe explained. "It's true that this is my fifth victory, but it always is a different feeling. It means a lot to win here and to be in yellow.
"Le Tour is the biggest race in the world and wearing this prestigious jersey is always an honour. I'm not here for the overall, but we'll try to respect the maillot jaune and defend it for as long as possible. I can tell you I will enjoy every single moment I'll spend with it on my shoulders."
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