Alaphilippe And Van Der Breggen Solo To Rainbow

Young Brits give hope at Worlds in both men’s and women’s road races, reports Vern Pitt

- Vern Pitt

Both Julian Alaphilippe and Anna van der Breggen captured the rainbow bands at the weekend with scorching solo attacks none of their rivals could match.

The former Tour de France yellow jersey attacked on the final ascent of the Cima Gallisterna going clear in the final 100m and holding a gap of just under 10 seconds over the top. Although achase group of five including Wout van Aert initially worked together well they couldn’t pull back the fully committed Frenchman, who was grimacing and stomping on the pedals.

The emotion of the win, France’s first since Laurent Brochard in 1997, was plain to see as Alaphilippe fell to the floor after the finish line in tears.

After he’d had a chance to come to terms with it he was still mostly lost for words. “It’s a dream day for me,” he said. “Already sometimes I was so close and finally… I’ve never even been on the podium.”

His victory seems certain to inspire similar emotions back home where Alaphilippe’s persistent attacking style and 14 days in the Tour’s yellow jersey last year have earned him a place in French hearts.

The British challenge in the men’s road race was headed by 21-year-old Baby Giro champion Tom Pidcock. The cyclo-cross and mountain bike rider, who was last week confirmed as joining Ineos Grenadiers from 2021, lasted until the last ascent of the Mazzolano, the penultimate climb of the race, before being distanced.

That in itself was an achievement given the 260km race was some 30km beyond the longest race he’d ever ridden.