Julian Alaphilippe will lead the Deceuninck-QuickStep team at this week's Tour Colombia 2.1 stage race as he continues his South American early-season race programme in the hope he'll be at his very best in March for a block of major goals that spans from trying for victory on the dirt roads of Strade Bianche to a first one-day Monument win at Milan-San Remo.
The Frenchman's unique climbing ability, his natural aggression and his acute tactical skill helped Alaphilippe win Flèche Wallonne, two Tour de France mountain stages and the polka-dot climber's jersey in 2018. He has set his sights even higher for 2019, hoping to win big for Deceuninck-QuickStep in March before the team's cobbled Classics riders take over in early April. Alaphilippe will then return for the Ardennes Classics to complete a significant block of spring racing.
"There are a lot of big goals in that block, and so I'm going have to stay focused – but it's exciting, too. I'll try to do my best and we'll see what happens," Alaphilippe tells Cyclingnews with his typical nonchalance and natural enthusiasm that seemingly helps him enjoy every moment of his career.
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Alaphilippe won two stages at the Vuelta a San Juan, showing some impressive early-season form. He only missed out on overall victory when he and young teammate Remco Evenepoel were outfoxed and out-powered by Movistar and Winner Anacona on the 'queen stage' to the Alto Colorado mountain finish.
Alaphilippe travelled to Colombia directly from San Juan. He won a stage at the Colombian stage race in 2018, and returns with Bob Jungels and sprinter Alvaro Hodeg to chase more success.
"I think a block of racing in the warmth of South America is good for me before my first European races," Alaphilippe explains.
Racing defeat makes you stronger
You can read more at Cyclingnews.com
via Cyclingnews Latest Interviews and Features http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/alaphilippe-i-want-to-be-at-100-per-cent-in-march
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