Alaphilippe fuels more jubilation in France

France LE GRAND-BORNAND, FRANCE has a new cycling star.

Two days after the country ’s soccer players won the World Cup, Julian Alaphilippe became the first French winner of a stage at this year’s Tour de France on Tuesday.

Fuelled by previous disappointments and thoughts of his ill father watching on TV, Alaphilippe timed his break perfectly and powered to victory on the first day in the mountains, crossing the line alone and finishing well ahead of his rivals for his first tour stage win.

“I imagined winning it because it was a huge objective for me, but to win it like that, all alone ...,” Alaphilippe said.

“I don’t know how many kilometres I was alone — phew, it was a bit risky, but I tried to up the pace and I really profited.”

He finished one minute 34 seconds ahead of Jon Izagirre Insausti, 1:40 ahead of Rein Taaramae and 1:44 in front of overall leader Greg Van Avermaet.

Taaramae was leading when Alaphilippe attacked going up the Category 1 Col de Romme and the Estonian rider was unable to find a response. Alaphilippe increased his lead over the Col de la Colombiere before zooming down the final finish.

“I was really happy that the last kilometre was downhill,” Alaphilippe said jokingly after giving the Quick Step team its third win in 10 stages. “A rare and special moment.”

The 26-year-old Alaphilippe pounded his chest and lifted his arms to celebrate as he crossed the line and struggled to hold back his tears afterward. “I’ve had plenty of frustrations. But they are things that make you stronger. The emotion I had today was not because of the frustrations, but because of the pain. Because I really wanted this victory,” Alaphilippe said.