Julian Alaphilippe wins the 13th edition of Strade Bianche

The Frenchman outsprinted Jakob Fuglsang on the final climb into Siena

The French Champion won the 13th edition of the Strade Bianche this Saturday, in the streets of Siena in Tuscany (Italy). This is his first victory in the so-called "white roads" event.

The 26-year-old beat Danish climber Jakob Fuglsang (Astana) in the final climb and added a "6th Monument" to his palmares. Wout Van Aert (Jumbo-Visma), 3rd last year behind Romain Bardet and Tiesj Benoot, took third place again, 9 secs behind Alaphilippe, after catching the pair in the final kilometre.

Jakob Fuglsang and Alaphilippe attacked with 23 kilometres to go, while Wout Van Aert chased alone ahead of the what was left of the main peloton. Fuglsang and Alaphilippe maintained their gap until the final kilometres which allowed Wout Van Aert to catch and pass them under the flamme rouge.

Alaphilippe followed their wheels until Fuglsang put in the final big attack, Alaphilippe countered a got a small gap in the final 300 metres and said afterwards, "I was lucky, I did not have a puncture, Fuglsang was very strong and did not make a mistake, I had to be careful, especially since my legs hurt a bit." 

His Belgian team secured their 14th win of the season, after successes at Het Nieuwsblad (Stybar), Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne (Jungels) or GP Samyn (Sénéchal).

Last year, Deceuninck-Quick Step had 73 wins. Julian Alaphilippe, winner of two stages of a Tour de France where he finished a better climber, also won the Flèche Wallonne and the San Sebastian Classic.

“My start to the season was already good, with three victories in South America, but to win here is incredible! My team did a great job and having Yves and Zdenek together with me in the final was perfect for us. I had a good day and strong legs, but was also lucky not to have any crashes or punctures. Strade Bianche was my first big goal of the year, and to win here, at my very first presence, is truly amazing”, said Alaphilippe after becoming the first Frenchman to conquer the Italian World Tour race.

2019 Strade Bianche Top 10

1 Julian Alaphlipppe (Fra) Deceuninck-QuikcStep 04:47:14
2 Jakob Fuglsang (Den) Astana 00:00:02
3 Wout Van Aert (Bel) Jumbo-Visma 00:00:27
4 Zdenek Stybar (Cze) Deceuninck-QuickStep 00:01:00
5 Tiesj Benoot (Bel) Lotto Soudal 00:01:00
6 Greg Van Avermaet (Bel) CCC Team 00:01:01
7 Alexey Lutsenko (Kaz) Astana 00:01:04
8 Simon Clarke (Aus) EF Education First 00:01:08
9 Toms Skujins (Lat) Trek-Segafredo 00:01:12
10 Tim Wellens (Bel) Loto Soudal 00:01:21