Alaphilippe faces Italian challenge on return to Tour Down Under

Adelaide, Australia, Jan 11, 2024 (AFP) – Double world champion Julian Alaphilippe will be the headline act when the Tour Down Under launches the men’s cycling season next week, while the women’s first stage begins in Adelaide on Friday.

Frenchman Alaphilippe, who won men’s world road race titles in 2020 and 2021, will face a challenge from Italian pair Filippo Ganna and Elia Viviani (Ineos Grenadiers).

Grace Brown will defend her women’s title, the Australian renewing her rivalry with three-time winner Amanda Spratt in the three-stage women’s race.

Alaphilippe (Soudal Quick-Step) announced Wednesday he would skip this year’s Tour de France to concentrate on the Giro d’Italia, during a packed 2024 calendar that also features the Paris Olympics.

“Between Australia, the classics and the Giro, I wanted a change,” said Alaphilippe who views the six-stage Tour Down Under as a key part of his preparations for his debut in the Italian feature.

“It’s a very complete season, you have to make choices and stick to them … with a possible participation in the Paris Olympics in mind.”

Alaphilippe made his professional debut at the Tour Down Under 10 years ago.

“I still remember the emotion and joy I felt upon pinning on a number for my first race with the Soudal Quick-Step team here in 2014,” he said.

“I’m excited to be back where it all began and I hope for a good start to the season.”

A favourite with fans, six-time Tour de France stage winner Alaphilippe came agonisingly close to winning in 2019, losing the yellow jersey just three days out from the Paris finish line.

The 31-year-old is on the comeback trail after suffering broken ribs and a collapsed lung in a high speed crash in April 2022, and being hampered by a knee injury last year.

Nine-time Grand Tour stage winner Viviani will be a threat and loves to race in Australia.

“The best years that I’ve had as a pro started at the Tour Down Under,” he said.

“I won stages in 2018 and 2019. The big goal is to really start my season with a stage win in Australia.”

Australia’s Jay Vine is unable to defend his title because of injury, leaving double Australian road race champion Luke Plapp as the best hope of a home winner.

Plapp’s Jayco-Alula team have 2023 runner-up Simon Yates from England and Australian sprint star Caleb Ewan in their line-up.

The men’s tour begins Tuesday and will finish with two gruelling climbs on Willunga Hill and the finale on Mount Lofty.

The women’s event was dominated by Lidl-Trek’s Spratt 2017 to 2019 and the 36-year-old veteran should be suited by this year’s summit finish up the lung-busting Willunga Hill.

Brown, who finished 10 seconds ahead of Spratt a year ago, will also have to contend with FDJ SUEZ teammate and noted hill-climber Cecilie Uttrup-Ludwig from Denmark.

The 2020 winner, Amrican Ruth Edwards (Human Powered Health), is making her return after a two-year absence from the world circuit.

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AFP

(NAMPA / AFP)