The Czech is on course for a career-second top 10 in a Grand Tour.
Passo Brocon (11.8km, 6.6%) made its return at the Italian race for the first time since 1967, when it featured on the penultimate stage of the event. Now, the peloton tackled it twice just four days before Rome, on a 159km rain-marred stage 17 comprising five classified ascents – including this year’s Ciuma Coppi – and 4000 climbing meters through the stunning Dolomites.
Minutes after receiving the most combative rider trophy for the third time – a first for a rider at this 107th edition – Julian Alaphilippe attacked again, booking a place in a ten-man breakaway that fought tooth and nail for every inch of the road in a determined attempt to build a consistent gap on the slopes of Passo Sella. Julian was in superb form there for the whole 60 kilometers that the move spent off the front, pressing on the climbs and showing there’s a reason why this Giro d’Italia will be remembered also thanks to his presence and exploits on the road.
After the group was neutralized by the peloton, Alaphilippe remained prominent and pulled for teammate Jan Hirt, Soudal Quick-Step’s best placed rider in the general classification. Mauri Vansevenant took over once Julian peeled off the front and whittled down the favourites’ group thanks to some hard pace-setting.
On the second ascent of Passo Brocon, Hirt was among the best and even accelerated inside the final kilometer – behind lone leader Georg Steinhauser (EF Education-EasyPost), who took the victory at the end of the day – managing to increase his buffer over the riders trailing him in the overall standings, which allowed the Czech to cement his tenth place with just four stages remaining. Ninth on the line, Jan sealed his third top ten here and will now aim to maintain his position on Saturday, when the climbers will face the last hurdle of this edition.
Photo credit: ©Tim De Waele / getty Images
Julian Alaphilippe 
Jan Hirt 
