Julian Alaphilippe (Soudal-QuickStep) easily won stage 2 of the Critérium du Dauphiné ahead of Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost) and Natnael Tesfatsion (Trek-Segafredo).
It was Alaphilippe’s first WorldTour victory in 14 months. (His last pro victory was at the end of February at the Faun-Ardèche Classic, which is a ProSeries, tier 2 race.)
On television, the sprint seemed to unfold in slow motion in the final meters and it quickly became clear that it would not be fast finish for the sprinters, but one for the puncheurs and climbers like Alaphilippe and Carapaz. Many sprinters like Sam Bennett, who finished 11th, were deceived and out of contention.
Alaphilippe was just as surprised not to see the sprinters in the mix. “I was surprised to be up there. We were working for Ethan Vernon, but in the end it was too tough for him. I had good legs, so I went for it instead.”
At the line, Alaphilippe had enough time to silence his critics with gesture of his hands that played down the victory, but in reality expressed his relief. “I have had a few difficult months and had to be patient. No one can take this [victory] away from me anymore. It is really a great relief.”
In the GC, Christophe Laporte (Jumbo-Visma) keeps the yellow jersey and Alaphilippe moves into 2nd place with Carapaz in 3rd.
