Julian Alaphilippe, the French cyclist and former world champion, expressed his satisfaction with his third-place finish at the prestigious Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal. Alaphilippe, despite being one of the favorites heading into the race, admitted that he found it impossible to keep up with Slovenian sensation Tadej Pogačar, who put in a dominant performance to claim victory. Pogačar, widely regarded as one of the best cyclists in the world, lived up to his reputation by taking control of the race and ultimately leaving his competitors in his wake.
“It was not possible to follow Tadej,” Alaphilippe remarked after the race, emphasizing just how difficult it was to match the pace set by the Slovenian rider. Despite this, the Frenchman remained positive about his own performance, taking pride in securing a podium finish in what was a fiercely competitive field. Alaphilippe’s third-place finish underscored his form and resilience as he continues to build momentum in the 2024 season.
The race in Montréal is one of the two Canadian WorldTour races, along with the Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec, and it attracts many of the world’s best cyclists each year. The Montréal course, known for its challenging climbs and technical sections, proved to be the perfect battleground for a thrilling contest between cycling’s elite. Pogačar, who is known for his climbing abilities and tactical prowess, attacked decisively on the final laps and broke free from the peloton, leaving Alaphilippe and others struggling to keep pace.
Pogačar’s victory was yet another milestone in what has been a stellar year for the Slovenian cyclist. The two-time Tour de France winner showcased his versatility and dominance, navigating the challenging terrain with ease and securing the win in style. His victory in Montréal further solidifies his status as one of the sport’s brightest stars, with many fans and analysts pointing to his remarkable consistency and ability to perform on a wide variety of courses.
For Alaphilippe, the third-place finish marked a strong result as he continues his comeback from a challenging period that included injury setbacks and inconsistent form. The Frenchman, who has twice won the UCI World Road Race Championships, has struggled at times to regain the peak form that made him one of the most exciting riders in the peloton. However, his performance in Montréal suggested that he is on the right track, with his aggressive racing style and tenacity on display throughout the event.
Speaking after the race, Alaphilippe highlighted the positives of his performance, acknowledging that while Pogačar was on another level, he was pleased with how he felt on the bike and with the result. “I’m happy with my form and how I rode today. Tadej was incredibly strong, and sometimes you just have to recognize that. I’ll take this podium as a good step forward and keep building towards the rest of the season,” Alaphilippe stated.
The result in Montréal will give Alaphilippe a much-needed confidence boost as he looks ahead to the remainder of the season. With key races still on the horizon, including the UCI World Championships and several high-profile one-day classics, Alaphilippe will be aiming to carry his momentum forward and challenge for more victories.
Meanwhile, Pogačar’s latest triumph adds another chapter to his already remarkable career, and it is clear that the Slovenian remains the rider to beat in the current peloton. As the season progresses, cycling fans will undoubtedly be eager to see if anyone can stop his dominant run.