Giro d'Italia: Julian Alaphilippe produced 'a ride for the ages' and lifted 'extremely heavy' weight off his shoulders

Updated 16/05/2024 at 17:02 GMT

After a lean few years that has included crashes, criticism and injury, Julian Alaphilippe turned back the clock on Stage 12 of the Giro d'Italia, staying clear of the chasing pack almost all day and then having the legs to attack late on and solo his way to the finish. Robbie McEwen said that it was a "ride for the ages" that will have many cycling fans rejoicing.

Alaphilippe 'let his legs do the talking' in 'ride for the ages'

Julian Alaphilippe "let the legs do the talking" in his outstanding Stage 12 victory at the Giro d'Italia, said Adam Blythe on Eurosport's The Breakaway.

Alaphilippe has had to deal with public scolding from his own Soudal-Quick Step team boss, Patrick Lefevere, who suggested - among other recent critiques - that "too many parties and too much alcohol" were responsible for a drop-off in the rider's displays.

The 31-year-old Frenchman, however, showed his mettle on the Italian East Coast, as he reminded fans - and perhaps his employer - of his abilities, in a ride that was reminiscent of his period as a back-to-back world road race champion in 2020 and 2021.

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"That is a ride for the ages," began Robbie McEwen in the Eurosport studio.

"Going out that early, that hard from a group with so much power behind it, the chances of success are pretty low.

"But there's a chance, and if you're Julian Alaphilippe all you need is a one in a million and he's pulled it off.

"It was incredible."

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Reflecting on the brickbats Alaphilippe has received in the public eye over recent times and how he has responded, Blythe said: "All the riders that are hugging him speaks volumes.

"He's a very-respected rider in the way that he's ridden in the start of his career up until now.

"I think the weight on his shoulders has been extremely heavy. [He's] one of the best-paid riders within that team, so he's expected to perform.

"He has been through a lot, he's been questioned a lot, he's been given a lot of abuse from his boss towards not only him, his family.

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"I think to come out of that the other side and just let the legs do the talking without saying anything to media, that is by far the best way to deal with it.

"Full chapeau to him, it's just brilliant to see Alaphilippe doing Alaphilippe things."

Dan Lloyd labelled the ride "one of the most astonishing, astounding, incredible rides I've ever seen."

"I didn't give him any hope when he went away with [Mirco] Maestri of doing it just between those two," he added.

"I think that was Alaphilippe pretty much back at his best, not just close to his best but to have achieved that and pulled that off was just mind-blowing."