Julian Alaphilippe (Soudal-QuickStep) attacked on the ultimate climb and outsprinted yellow jersey Marc Hirschi (UAE Team Emirates) to win the fourth and ultimate stage of the Czech Tour in Šternberk. Hirschi, who had taken over the chief’s jersey on stage 2, claimed the general victory with a 28-second lead over his closest competitor and teammate Diego Ulissi.
Once the early breakaway was caught on the 129.2km stage, a gaggle of 12 riders with Alaphilippe and Hirschi, escaped on the penultimate ascent of Sternberk (1km at 8.1%) which featured some tough cobblestone sections.
Alaphilippe made his decisive assault on the steepest a part of the ascent, and solely Hirschi was ready to reply to his cost however the chasers have been capable of bridge throughout with 800 meters to go, complicating the finale. In the closing 300 metres, Hirschi opened up his dash first however Alaphilippe got here round on a right-hand bend to take his forty fourth professional victory.
Sergio Higuita (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe) took third on the stage.
“We set the tempo all through the second half of the stage. I was already a bit drained, however I tried to remain calm. We had a clear plan, which we managed to fulfil utterly,” Alaphilippe stated.
The two-time world champion used the Czech Tour as a ultimate take a look at earlier than the upcoming Olympic highway race, as did Hirschi who will line up at Saturday’s highway race for Switzerland alongside Stefan Küng.
“Especially the start was very nervous and aggravating. There was a lot of wind, there have been additionally rain showers. I was frightened concerning the yellow jersey for a whereas,” Hirschi stated. ”I actually favored the ultimate circuit. But I was glad that it did not rain as a result of it could have been very harmful to complete on the cobbles.
“I did not have the velocity I wanted till the final nook, plus Julian was actually tremendous sturdy. But I’m nonetheless completely satisfied as a result of the general victory within the Czech Tour is a nice consequence.”
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