Julian Alaphilippe will show his rainbow jersey for the first time this season.
A 7.2km prologue in Berre l’Etang will get things underway at the seventh edition of the Tour de la Provence, but the main attraction of the race will come a bit later in the week, on the fourth and final day. Then, on a stage with over 3200 vertical meters, the peloton will tackle the slopes of the gruelling Montagne de Lure – a 17.7km ascent averaging 6% which was used twice in Paris-Nice, at the 2009 and 2013 editions, and where the winner of the Tour de la Provence will emerge.
Just like last year, Julian Alaphilippe will roll out his season at the French race. The 29-year-old from Saint-Amand-Montrond wrote history five months ago, when he captured his second consecutive rainbow jersey, and will be eager to show it for the first time in 2022 at the event which he finished runner-up in 2021 after animating the week with his spectacular trademark attacks.
Winner of two consecutive stages and of the points jersey at the previous edition, Davide Ballerini will also be on Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl’s roster for the four-day event having enjoyed a solid start to the season at the Saudi Tour, together with Ronde van Vlaanderen and E3 Harelbeke champion Kasper Asgreen, Dries Devenyns, Pieter Serry and newcomers Ilan Van Wilder and Louis Vervaeke.
“It’s for the first time in three years that the race starts with a time trial, and it should be something for Kasper, Ilan, and maybe Julian, they have a chance of getting a nice result there. The next two stages should have the sprinters and the puncheurs respectively in the spotlight, but the wind in the region could play an important role, so we’ll see how things will go there. The last day is the hardest one, and that’s where the general classification will be decided. It will be good to see where our riders are at this point in the season”, explained Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl sports director Geert Van Bondt.
Photo credit: ©Wout Beel
