History for Julian as Rory impresses
FRANCE’S Julian Alaphilippe retained his men’s road race title at the cycling world championships in style after attacking relentlessly in the finale, capping a remarkable team performance yesterday.
Alaphilippe made the decisive move on the short climb up to the Sint Antoniusberg 17km from the line and never looked back, becoming only the seventh rider to win consecutive titles.
Alaphilippe reaped the rewards of the team’s tactics after the French shook up the race throughout to wear down their opponents, notably the Belgians, whose odds- on favourite Wout van Aert ended up finishing empty- handed.
It was also Alaphilippe’s instinct that made the difference as he beat Dutchman Dylan van and Denmark’s Michael Valgren.
Rory Townsend put in a brilliant ride for Ireland.
Townsend spent the majority of his race in the eight- man breakaway and was aggressive in the lead group even when they were reeled in by the chasing group with about 130 km to go.
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Townsend remained in contention in the lead group until a cramp forced him off his bike and he could not continue the race.
Eddie Dunbar and Ryan Mullen rode well but were among the high number of riders who did not finish.
Dunbar said: “It was a very, very hard race. I hadn’t raced since the Olympics because I got Covid after it so I actually wasn’t going to race for the rest of the year after that because I had three full weeks off the bike.
“But training went well over the last few weeks but today I did suffer you know.”