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news
Julian Alaphilippe - world championship 2021, Flanders Julian Alaphilippe defends World Championship road race title on brutal 260km long course
Julian Alaphilippe took a memorable victory at an epic World Championship road race that saw strong attacks from the first kilometre.
The numerous sharp inclines on the Flandrian bergs caused chaos on the lengthy course and by the final 18.5km a select group were battling it out for the win.
Julian Alaphilippe launched three blistering attacks with around 17km to go and on the third attempt managed to get a solid gap of around 20 to 30 seconds.
With 7km to go the French rider, who reportedly said he would be 'relieved' to give up the Rainbow Jersey, seemed certain to become the seventh rider in history to defend the title.
Over the closing kilometres he rode away from the rest of the competitors and soled to a stunning victory.
Speaking at the finish, commentator Rob Hatch said: "For the second year running [France's] glory has arrived.
"Julian Alaphilippe - that is entertainment.
"World Champion in fantastic Flanders is a Frenchman and Julian Alaphilppe takes the Rainbow Jersey."
This years' course was a brutal 268.5km containing 2,414m of climbing and 42 categorised bergs.
Now it's not the time for an autograph, man. pic.twitter.com/ReDn4TPv7f
— Cycling out of context (@OutOfCycling) September 26, 2021
Hatch commented as the coverage ended: "I can't help feeling we have seen something we will not forget today.
"From start to finish."
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15 comments
Great race!
2023 is Glasgow not Edinburgh, though maybe Begbie can get the train.
It was really courageous and impressive what Julian Alaphilippe did. A well deserved victory.
Fantastic work by JA
I'm not too sure about the 2025 event being held in Rwanda. I think they have shot themselves in the foot with that one.
It's adventurous, it's good for the sport, I think Rwanda will be fantastic.
There will be cheering and celebrating crowds and I guess some fantastic scenery, a lot better than that one in the desert.
I would agree, the race was brilliant, every race I watch in Belgium seems to be more enjoyable than in other countries. But there really was no need for the booing and beer throwing. Well done to Alaphillipe, he deserved it thoroughly. He is a very gracious champion.
Another brilliant race. Can we just have the Worlds in Flanders every year? Yesterday's race was the best womens race I've ever seen and whilst this one didn't really match the heights of that you've got to enjoy Alaphilippe's shit or bust approach. Yet again van Aert & vdP too busy marking each other. Loved the Flanders crowd too, utterly bonkers yet also utterly respectful of the riders. Going to be hard-pressed to find a better location for a Worlds race, the finishing circuit made it like a crit race with 200ks already in the legs.
Agree with everything you say but that - the booing and beer throwing was hardly "respectful" and soured a great race for me. I spent part of my childhood in Belgium so I'm usually cheering for them, but I'm glad Julien stuck it to them. As the man himself said, "I’d like to thank the Belgian fans, not always nice, but they made me angry and that pushed me on.”
I took it as good natured booing along with all the slow down gestures. They undoubtedly respect JA. Only saw one incident of beer throwing right at the end. Idiots gotta idiot I guess. Here's hoping it was beer...
On the BBC coverage I heard it as "respectful" booing, I liked that term.
Good natured.
Not in 2023 please, the Worlds come to Glasgow. Having travelled to Harrogate there were great crowds there too. The weather wasn't kind. but it never rains in Glasgow.
https://www.cyclingworldchamps.com/
And it's not just the Road Worlds; all disciplines, apart from CX will be taking place. Should be a great festival of cycling.
Van Aert didn't have the legs, and MvdP still hasn't got 100% fitness after sitting out a lot of racing since the Olympics....there was no marking each other.