Julian Alaphilippe and Fernando Gaviria will close out their season at the inaugural edition of the Chinese race.
Ten days after riding to second in Il Lombardia, France's best result in two decades at the "Classic of the Falling Leaves", Julian Alaphilippe will now head to China for the final World Tour event of the season, the Tour of Guangxi. The 25-year-old, a stage winner at Paris-Nice and Vuelta a España this season, will race in China for the second time in his career and he'll do this knowing he has a shot at a good general classification.
Two of the six stages should play into the favour of the attackers, who'll battle out on the rolling terrain of the region located in the southern part of the country. The other four will satisfy the fast men of the peloton, one of these being Fernando Gaviria, the Colombian who has amassed ten victories in 2017, which have made him one of the most successful riders of the year.
Joining the two at the Tour of Guangxi (19-24 October) will be Rémi Cavagna, Davide Martinelli, Maximiliano Richeze, Pieter Serry and Martin Velits (who'll bring down the curtain over his career), while Rik van Slycke and Davide Bramati will lead the team from behind the wheel.
"This is the final stop of the season, but we are going to China like it's the first race of the year. We are still hungry and the team is strong, so we are hopeful as always. Looking at the roadbook there are some good possibilities for the sprinters and one uphill finish. Maybe also the escapees will have a chance or two next week. We will see how the race unfolds day by day and if there's going to be any opportunity, then we'll try to take it", said sports director Davide Bramati before leaving for China.
Photo credit: ©Tim De Waele
