The 2020 and 2021 cycling world champions, Julian Alaphilippe will begin his 2024 season at the Tour Down Under in Australia next month, as announced Tuesday by the race organization.
“I’m happy to be back in Australia“said the French rider for the Soudal Quick-Step team, whose first race on the World Tour circuit in 2014 was the Tour Down Under.
The men’s edition of the race, won this year by Australian Jay Vine, It will be held from January 13 to 21, 2024 in and around Adelaideand finish at the top of Mount Lofty, which runners will climb twice in the final stage.
“I remember when I did my first race (in Australia) with my team“commented Julian Alaphilippe, 31, quoted in a Soudal Quick-Step press release. “I have many great memories: the incredible fans, the great weather, and I can’t wait to get back to the starting line and meet the our fans again,” added the Frenchman, who has not competed in the country since the 2022 World Championships.
“I’m especially looking forward to the Willunga Hill run (which the runners will climb twice on stage 5, editor’s note) and to see Mount Lofty for the first time,” said the runner, who is among the favorites to wear the race leader’s ocher jersey.
In addition to his two world championship titles, Julian Alaphilippe has won seven stages in the grand tours (one in the Vuelta, six in the Tour de France), Milan-San Remo (2019), Flecha Wallona (2018, 2019 and 2021 ), the Clásica San Sebastián (2018), the Strade Bianche (2019) and two stage races, the Tour of California (2016) and the Tour of Britain (2018).
Source: La Verdad
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