Like Julian Alaphilippe, Christophe Laporte is making good progress in the UCI rankings, entering the Top 10 for the first time in his career.
After an altogether encouraging recovery during the Mallorca Challenge at the end of January, Julian Alaphilippe struck a blow, for his real comeback on Saturday. More than six months following his last victory at the Grand Prix de Wallonie, the Frenchman has indeed won the Ardèche Classic following escaping 25 kilometers from the finish in the company of David Gaudu. If he did not manage to let go of his compatriot in the last difficulty, his burst of speed made the difference in the sprint.
Julian Alaphilippe, who mightn’t keep up with the best the next day during the Drôme Classic, was all smiles following the race. “Winning is a feeling that I missed a lot. I wanted to find the victory, I’m happy to get there now, he commented. I’ve worked hard over the past few weeks to be in good condition. This result validates all the work, I look forward to continuing. It’s still only the start of the season, there’s a lot to do, but it’s a bit of a relief.
Laporte in the Top 10
This victory helping, Julian Alaphilippe recorded one of the most beautiful progressions of the week in the UCI ranking. The French indeed gains 44 places and returns to the gates of the Top 100, in 110th place. Second in the Ardèche Classic and at the foot of the podium, the next day, in the Drôme Classic, David Gaudu is also at the party since the Breton progresses 21 places to now occupy 36th place.
If, on the other hand, Benoit Cosnefroy drops six places and leaves the Top 20 (24th), Christophe Laporte is also rewarded for his good weekend on the Flandriennes. Third in the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad on Saturday and seventh in Kuurne-Bruxelles-Kuurne on Sunday, the Jumbo-Visma rider has indeed gained seven places and indeed settled into the Top 10 with a fine seventh place, becoming the best placed French rider, far ahead of Arnaud Démare, 15th.
And the Varois is convinced that despite the strong competition within the Jumbo Visma, he will have his card to play throughout the classics. ” We won, I’m 3rd, it’s really a great day for the team, he also confided following his third place at the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, won by Dylan van Baarle. The team already had confidence in me last year, and probably a little more this season. I want to prove to them that they are right to trust me«
