2024 is Julian Alaphilippe‘s 11th season in the pro ranks and one which will mark a first for the charismatic Frenchman: his debut in the Giro d’Italia, the only Grand Tour he’s never ridden in the Soudal Quick-Step jersey. One of the most successful riders of our times, with a palmares that includes two World Champion titles, Milano-Sanremo, Strade Bianche, a hat-trick of La Flèche Wallonne successes and multiple Grand Tour stages, Alaphilippe is looking forward to this fresh challenge, which gets underway on Saturday.
“The shape is good. I didn’t go on an altitude training camp, but I did a strong Tour de Romandie at the end of April, which was important for my preparation. I felt that I’ve improved there day by day. We’ll see how things go during the Giro, but I want to give my best so I don’t have any regrets. It would be great to get a win and complete the collection of stage victories in all Grand Tour, but I know it won’t be easy.”
The first weekend is one of the hardest of a Grand Tour in recent memory. On Saturday, the riders will take on several climbs, including a steep one featuring some nasty double-digit gradients just a few kilometers from the finish in Torino. Twenty-four hours later, the race schedules its first summit finish on the Santuario de Oropa, which can have quite a big impact on the general classification.
Both stages come with a bonus – the iconic pink jersey – but Julian prefers not to think about this, and instead, take it one day at a time and see what the race brings.
“My first focus will be on the opening stage, which will be a good opportunity for me to see where I am at the start of the race. We did a recon the other day and it will be a hard and nervous stage. I know there is a chance for me to be in contention for the maglia rosa on Saturday and wearing it would be a dream, but it will be very difficult as there are a lot of strong riders who can be in the mix there. I am motivated and confident and I hope for a good Giro together with my Soudal Quick-Step teammates”, added the 31-year-old Julian.
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