[ad_1]
EsCiclismo.com · Road Competition · 04/10/2020
A rookie mistake, raising his arms before crossing the finish line, and a zigzagging in the final sprint hardly typical of a cyclist in the category and veteran of Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck-Quick Step), cost the French the first and 2nd place in the 106th edition of the classic Liege-Bastoa-Liège.
After promoting the final selection in the ascent to the Cte de la Roche-aux-Faucons and arriving in a group of five to the finish line, the newly released World Champion also premiered the so-called “ curse of the arcoris when losing ” for h and b a victory that he himself already took for granted.
Alaphilippe raised his arms barely a meter before the last line and could see how the Slovenian Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma) sneaked in from the right and, in a final blow of the wheel, took the victory in `the Dean.
Moments later, more bad news arrived, the technical jury relegated him to the last place in the group (5), considering the changes of direction that he carried out during the sprint irregular and that damaged the options of the Swiss Marc Hirschi (Sunweb) and the Slovenian. Tadej Pogacar (UAE Emirates).
“I attacked in the steepest part of Roche-aux-Faucons, I made a selection there and opened a gap with other cyclists. We worked well together, we maintained our advantage over the pursuers and I saw with confidence that we reached the last kilometer,” explained Alaphilippe.
“I started my sprint 200 meters from the finish, but then I made that mistake, for which I take full responsibility. I am aware that my trajectory caused a problem for other cyclists and I apologize for it, but I want to emphasize that I did not do it to purpose. I accept the jury’s decision and all I can do now is focus on the upcoming races, “said the World Champion.
EsCiclismo – All rights reserved. All types of reproduction are prohibited without express written authorization.
