Strade Bianche – Hit in the back after his fall, Julian Alaphilippe relativizes and recognizes the superiority of Tadej Pogacar – Eurosport FR

This is already one of the images of the 2022 season. As the main peloton crossed the fifth gravel sector of this 2022 edition of the Strade Bianche, in Lucignano d’Asso, Julian Alaphilippe and a large number of riders suffered a frightening collective fall after a huge gust of wind.

Above all, there will remain this image of the “sun” performed by the world champion on the road, curtly decanned by the bike of a rider from the Alpecin-Fenix ​​formation, then forced to dive by reflex to avoid the other victims. Rarely seen in cycling. The slow motion of this accident leaves no room for doubt: yes Alaphilippe avoided the worst. The Frenchman announced back pain after the arrival, without saying more, especially regarding his presence at Tirreno-Adriatico which begins on Monday.

As the images can show, Alaphilippe did not understand what exactly happened on this dirt road, 80 kilometers from the end. “The wind was blowing hard, suddenly the other runners fell around me. I fell myself. My back hurts“, he said to the Belgian daily Het Nieuwsblad.

There was Pogacar and the others according to Alaphilippe

The Frenchman from Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl was unable to complete his mission to win the Italian classic, a race he loves, as evidenced by his success in 2019 and his 2nd place last year. If he managed to return to the peloton after his bowl, thanks to the exceptional work of the Dane Mikkel Honoré, he could not prevent Tadej Pogacar from going for a prestigious victory. Author of an attack of which he has the secret 50 kilometers from the goal, the Slovenian made a Tom Boonen Paris-Roubaix 2012 to seek victory in Siena with panache.

Physically weakened, Alaphilippe was beaten on this one, then he let go 22 kilometers from the end, leaving the torch to his teammate Kasper Asgreen, finally 3rd. “Loulou” also worked for the Dane, whom he knew was capable of getting a good place of honor. After his capital fright, the main thing is necessarily elsewhere for Alaphilippe who had no regrets after the race, which he finished in relaxed mode, in 58th place.

“It’s good for the team to have someone on the podium. We are satisfied“, added Alaphilippe. There probably wasn’t much more to do today. Especially when you look at Pogacar, he was really in great shape.”