Former road cycling world champion Julian Alaphilippe has ended his dry spell and celebrated his first World Tour win in over a year.
The Frenchman won the second stage of the Criterium du Dauphine ahead of Olympic champion Richard Carapaz from Ecuador and Natnael Tesfatsion from Eritrea.
Brenner back in the top ten
The German top talent Marco Brenner showed at the finish of the 167.3 kilometer stage La Chaise Dieu again a good performance and finished ninth. In the overall standings is the first winner Christophe Laporte ahead, but is at the same time as his compatriot Alaphilippe.
The one who was repeatedly thrown back by serious falls Alaphilippe had last won the Elite League World Tour at the Tour of the Basque Country in April 2022. This spring, the 30-year-old was publicly criticized by his team boss Patrick Lefevere for the lack of success. His star had only the insignificant Faun Ardèche Classic won in February.
Sprint stage on Tuesday
Pure sprinters should have the best chances on Tuesday. The 194-kilometer stage from Monistrol-sur-Loire after Le Coteau offers on the second half with the Cote de Pinay just a bigger obstacle. The stage race, which features Tour champion Jonas Vingegaard of Denmark, concludes in Grenoble on Sunday.