Julian Alaphilippe showed that he never gives up.
Featuring five classified climbs and boasting more than 4000 vertical meters, many believed that 14 stage would be one for the breakaway, and for that reason Soudal Quick-Step’s Julian Alaphilippe went on the offensive early. Ever the fighter, the multiple Tour de France stage winner first tried on Col de Saxel, and later on the descent, where he indeed managed to open up a gap on the peloton.
Joined by a large group at the bottom of the Col de Cou, Alaphilippe tried again, getting out of the saddle and putting in a series of powerful acceleration. Unfortunately, this didn’t materialise in a hefty gap, the reason for this being that the GC favourites wanted the stage for themselves, pushing a huge pace that caught all the attackers. From the small group that went over the Joux Plane, the last ascent of the day, Carlos Rodriguez (Ineos Grenadiers) attacked and took the win in Morzine, where the Tour de France returned after seven years.
Sunday schedules the race’s only summit finish in the Alps, on Saint-Gervais Mont-Blanc, which comes after four other classified climbs.
Photo credit: ©Tim De Waele / Getty Images
