Giro d’Italia: Julian Alaphilippe motivated to chase stage win on debut

Maglia rosa a possibility for the Soudal Quick-Step puncheur on opening day in Turin, with Alaphilippe keen to leave Italy with no regrets

06:00, Saturday 4th May 2024

George Poole

Junior Writer

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Julian Alaphilippe during the team presentation of his first Giro d'Italia

For the first time in his 13-year professional career, Julian Alaphilippe (Soudal Quick-Step) will line up at the Giro d’Italia on Saturday in Turin, with a stage win in the Italian Grand Tour his goal as the race gets underway.

Not only will the opening stage bring a first for the 31-year-old, but it will also present the puncheur with an opportunity to target the race’s first maglia rosa.

Over the short but punishing climbs that encircle the capital city of the Piedmont region, the 107th edition of the Giro d’Italia will come alive as the race’s best climbers engage in their first showdown before the stage finish in the centre of Turin.

“I think it is a nice goal to be here at the start of my first Giro and to have the goal to win a stage, I think it is something that motivates me and I will try for sure,” Alaphilippe said in a pre-race press conference on Friday afternoon.

Over the Berzano di San Pietro, Superga, Colle Maddalena and a final uncategorised climb on stage 1, the first leader of the race will likely be decided in an aggressive confrontation that is sure to catch some riders off guard. Such an up-and-down finale would have been bread and butter to Alaphilippe in his pomp as a two-time world champion, and the Frenchman is confident that he can still put himself in the frame for the maglia rosa at the weekend.

“I have a chance, I don’t know how big that chance is but I have more chance with a parcours like tomorrow than on Sunday, so I will try to take this chance. I think you need to be strong and explosive, so I hope I can enjoy the stage, give my best and have no regrets.”

It has been some time since Alaphilippe displayed his best form – his last victory was in last year’s Critérium du Dauphine – but he showed signs of life at the recent Tour de Romandie with a flutter of attacks that enlightened the race if nothing else.

With his contract at Soudal Quick-Step expiring at the end of the season and unlikely to be renewed at its current value, there will be an expectation for the Frenchman to perform over the coming weeks. It is a challenge that Alaphilippe is keen to take on.

“I really keep it simple, I was not on training camp on altitude or anything, I just did a break after the Tour of Flanders. I trained basically to have a good shape, Romandie was good for me. I was not exceptional but I felt that I improved day by day so that was a good sign and this week was about recovery.

“It is hard to say but I feel good and I am ready to suffer, so I think this is important.”

For everything you need to know about the 2024 Giro d'Italia, from the history of the race to this year's route and start list, be sure to check out our dedicated race hub.