The Colombian took home the points jersey, while James Knox concluded the race in third overall.
Deceuninck – Quick-Step made it a hat-trick of victories at the Adriatica Ionica Race, courtesy of Alvaro Hodeg, who finished off his teammates’ excellent job in Trieste and sprinted to another convincing win, thus securing the points jersey. For Alvaro, who is having a very impressive second pro season, this was the tenth success since making the step to the World Tour and served as confirmation that he is part of a remarkable generation of up-and-coming sprinters.
Victorious on the opening day, in Grado, Alvaro Hodeg benefited again from a textbook lead-out of Florian Sénéchal, who upped the speed at the right moment and dropped him in perfect position with the finish line in sight. Then, inside the last 150 meters, the 22-year-old Colombian shot from the pack and put several bike lengths into the riders who rounded out the podium, Edward Theuns (Trek-Segafredo) and Sacha Modolo (EF Education), nabbing his fifth success of the season.
“I’m very content with this win, which wouldn’t have been possible without the team. Mikkel and Remco worked hard to catch the break in the downhill, Philippe used his experience to bring us to the front on the circuit, while Florian was incredible with the way he accelerated into the last corner, paving the way for victory. I’m proud of these guys and my second win in four days”, said 22-year-old Alvaro Hodeg after putting his name on Deceuninck – Quick-Step’s 52nd victory of the season.
One of the youngest riders in the race, James Knox enjoyed a strong and morale-boosting week in Italy, going on the attack on the two stages that shaped up the overall and being handsomely rewarded for his aggressive riding with a solid third, less than half a minute behind the winner. Knox, who last year had a stint in the best young rider jersey here, was one of the three Deceuninck – Quick-Step riders to finish in in the top 10 at Adriatica Ionica, alongside stage 3 victor Remco Evenepoel (8th) and Mikkel Honoré (10th).
For 23-year-old James Knox, whose result contributed to the squad’s win in the team classification, this was his best ever GC result, and followed an eighth place earlier this season, at the UAE Tour: “The boys worked hard to keep me and Alvaro in position, rode at the front the whole day and controlled everything on the final circuit, in Trieste. We had a lot of success this week, showed determination and the same unmistakable Wolfpack spirit, and personally, to be on the podium, is something really great!”
Photo credit: ©Luc Claessen/ Getty Images
