Alaphilippe takes lead on penultimate stage
MOUNT BALDY, San Bernardino County — France’s Julian Alaphilippe took the overall lead in the Tour of California on Saturday with a solo victory in the mountainous seventh stage.
The 22-year-old, riding for Etixx-Quick Step, bolted to the front with 2½ miles left and completed the 80-mile leg from Ontario to Mount Baldy ski resort in 3 hours, 42 minutes, 13 seconds.
Slovakia’s Peter Sagan of Tinkoff-Saxo, 28 seconds ahead in the overall standings after winning the individual time trial Friday, finished sixth in the stage, 47 seconds behind.
Sagan, who has 13 career Tour of California wins, fell off his bike just after the finish line. He dropped 2 seconds behind Alaphilippe in the overall standings with one stage left.
“It was very hard and very long,” said Alaphilippe, who claimed his first victory this season and the fifth of his career. “In the last 15 miles, there was a break and then there was only a small group for the last climb.”
Alaphilippe finished third in Stages 3 and 6. Earlier this season, he was the runner-up in prestigious Liege-BastogneLiege and La Fleche Wallonne one-day races.
“Today I am surprised,” Alaphilippe said. “They played with me a little, but in the last kilometers, I attacked and stayed away. I went to the full limit in the last mile. It was steep, but I was feeling good.”
Colombia’s Sergio Luis Haneo Montoya of Sky was second in the stage, 23 seconds behind, to move into third place in the standings, 33 seconds back.
Despite his race lead, Alaphilippe said he would ride in support of teammate Mark Cavendish in the final stage, predicted to end in a mass sprint. Cavendish has won three stages.
“Tomorrow is probably a stage win, so I guess I will work for Mark Cavendish,” said Alaphilippe, who became the event’s fourth race leader. “We have a very strong team, so for today, I am happy.”
The eight-day race, which began last Sunday in Sacramento, ends Sunday with a 65.3-mile road stage from Los Angeles to Pasadena. The stage is expected to conclude in a sprint finish, with bonus seconds available in mid-stage and at the finish.