Alaphilippe rode over Poggio with the best, but flat tire in final kilometer thwarted his plans

Saturday was not the best day for the French racers in Milan-San Remo. Top favorite Christophe Laporte (Visma | Lease a Bike) was one of the first to drop, following which Julian Alaphilippe (Soudal Quick-Step) upheld the honor of the French in the final phase. However, misfortune prevented him from giving his all on Via Roma.

Alaphilippe impressively stayed with the first group over the Poggio, which consisted of twelve riders. "I am happy with my race. I felt good the entire day and had an incredible team by my side, who protected me and made sure I was in the right place when it mattered," he begins his account.

Flat tire throws Alaphilippe's plans into disarray

Thus, the puncher could contend for the win on the Poggio and afterwards, but ultimately, Alaphilippe got a flat tire in the final kilometer of the race. "It’s disappointing that I had that flat, because without it I am sure I could have finished higher in the classification," he says via the channels of his team Soudal Quick-Step. Alaphilippe eventually finished ninth in the race won by Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck).

However, Alaphilippe ensures that he is taking away all positives from this edition of Milan-San Remo. "Finishing top ten in the first Monument of the year definitely isn’t a bad result," he notes. "Especially as I could feature in the finale despite everything. I can’t wait for the Belgian races, where I hope to continue my upward trajectory." His next race is the E3 Saxo Classic, on Friday in Harelbeke.