Soudal Quick-Step leaves the race with a stage victory and two distinctive jerseys.
Julian Alaphilippe sealed the points classification of Okolo Slovenska atop Strbske Pleso, where the 68th edition came to a conclusion Sunday afternoon. The Frenchman left it all out there on a hard day featuring four classified climbs, after a mammoth work of his Soudal Quick-Step teammates, who controlled things from the beginning and set him up for an attack on the final slopes.
Alaphilippe made his first move more than seven kilometers from home, forcing an important selection, before going again, this time with four kilometers to go. Joined by only a couple of riders, the two-time World Champion continued to drive a big tempo and still had enough left to take third at the top – where Felix Engelhardt (Jayco-AlUla) soloed to victory – a result which helped him conclude runner-up in the final rankings.
The points he scored there were enough for Julian to finish first in the green jersey standings, making him the second Soudal Quick-Step rider, after Tim Merlier in 2023, to prevail in this classification. Alaphilippe, who signed off the team’s 20th victory in Slovakia after attacking in the final kilometer of the Dubnica nad Vahom stage, was joined on the final podium by teammate Gil Gelders. The Belgian neo-pro had a very strong and impressive week, which saw him win the white jersey, in addition to finishing seventh overall.
“It was again great to be here, in the country of our sponsor Janom, and I think we can be happy with our race. Personally, I am satisfied with the results and the form I had in Slovakia, which was my first outing since the Giro d’Italia if we don’t include the National Championships. The entire squad did their best and I’m proud of my young teammates, who showed the Wolfpack spirit the whole week. To start my second half of the season with a victory, a podium and a distinctive jersey gives me a lot of confidence for the next races”, said Julian.
Photo credit: ©Jan Melicher
©Sona Nikova
