The Frenchman is looking forward to Sunday’s Monument.
Julian Alaphilippe took advantage of the good weather and carried out a detailed reconnaissance of the last 65 kilometers of Liège–Bastogne–Liège, taking on some of the hardest climbs packed in the final part of Sunday’s race: Côte du Rosier, Col du Maquisard, Côte de la Redoute, Côte des Forges, and Côte de la Roche-aux-Faucons.
The 28-year-old World Champion, who rode his new Specialized Tarmac SL7, was joined out on the route by his Deceuninck – Quick-Step teammates Andrea Bagioli, Rémi Cavagna, Tim Declercq, Dries Devenyns, Bob Jungels and Mauri Vansevenant, as he tackled the emblematic hills of “La Doyenne”, cycling’s oldest Monument.
“I was really excited to join the team for the first time since my win at the World Championships and to see my teammates again. This morning I was eager to get on my new custom Specialized bike and go outside for my first training as World Champion together with the Wolfpack. It was a nice ride, made even more enjoyable by the fans on La Redoute, who applauded me. I am looking forward to Sunday and my first race as World Champion, when I’ll be prepared to give it my all for a good result”, Julian said at the end of Friday’s test.
Photo credit: ©Wout Beel
