Cycling: Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck – Quick-Step) has won his first monument. The Frenchman was unbeatable in Milan – Sanremo in the sprint of a group of ten. He triumphed in front of Oliver Naesen (AG2R La Mondiale), Michal Kwiatkowski (Sky) and Peter Sagan (Bora – hansgrohe). John Degenkolb (Trek – Segafredo) was unlucky, suffering a technical defect while catching up.
Maestri pulls away at Milan-Sanremo for the fourth time in a row
In bright sunshine, the 175 riders left Milan for Sanremo this morning at 10:12 am. No less than 291,0 kilometers had to be overcome. Immediately after the starting gun, ten men managed to break away. They were able to pull out a lead of over ten minutes. It was there for the fourth year in a row Mirco Maestri (Bardiani-CSF). But like his companions, including the Austrian Sebastian Schoenberger (Neri Sottoli – Selle Italia – KTM), his long escape was not rewarded today. 25,5 kilometers from the finish - and thus just before Cipressa - was with Fausto Masnada (Androni Giocattoli – Sidermec) the last breakaway along the Ligurian coast. In the main field, the teams Lotto - Soudal, Deceuninck - Quick-Step, Bora - hansgrohe and the UAE Team Emirates provided the pace.
Alaphilippe outperforms teammate Viviani
There were no attacks up the Cipressa. But attacked on the crest Niccolo Bonifazio (Direct Energy). The Italian sprinter opened up a lead of several seconds before being caught again. On the descent, some pros who had been left behind were able to catch up with the peloton again. So a huge field of riders came to the foot of the Poggio. With a length of 3,7 kilometers and a gradient of 3,7 percent, he should be the executioner today. Forced with two helpers Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck – Quick-Step) directly the tempo. Among other things, this brought teammates Elia Viviani in trouble. In the steepest section of the Poggio, Julian attacked Alaphilippe. Ride with him Peter Sagan (Bora – hansgrohe), Michal Kwiatkowski (Sky), Matteo Trentin (Mitchelton-Scott), Alejandro Valverde (movistar), Oliver naesen (AG2R La Mondiale) and Wout van aert (Jumbo – Visma) over the crest.
Bad luck for his sword - Alaphilippe happy
Because of the fast sprinters – above all Matteo Trentin and Peter Sagan - but there was no constant cooperation in the first group. As a result, more and more professionals were able to catch up from behind. This succeeded John Degenkolb (Trek – Segafredo) unfortunately not, because he suffered a technical defect while chasing in a promising position. Ten men came together on the Via Roma and should make the victory at Milan - Sanremo among themselves. Matej Mohoric (Bahrain – Merida) opened the sprint. Pulled out of his slipstream Julian Alaphilippe over. He had to contend with some strong sprinters, but at the end of the nearly seven-hour race, they were lacking in energy. The Frenchman wins Milan – Sanremo 2019 and thus his first monument. Peter Sagan stays behind Oliver naesen and Michal Kwiatkowski rank four.
🇫🇷 Superb classique 🚴🏻♂️remportée par #Alaphilippe on #MilanoSanRemo 👏 pic.twitter.com/DRbH8MghEA
— Noiretblanc (@Noiretblanc83) March 23, 2019
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