Okolo Slovenska / Tour de Slovaquie

Julian Alaphilippe was in the thick of the action on the second day of the Okolo Slovenska, the longest of the week. Taking in five classified climbs, the stage travelled from Nitra to Hlohovec, where a punchy finish awaited on a 700m uphill drag to the line averaging 6.7%.

As soon as the flag was waved from the car, three riders went clear and forged out a maximum advantage of five minutes over a peloton where several teams, including Soudal Quick-Step, worked together to keep the gap in check. The terrain favoured the chasers, who gradually clawed back time before – in part, thanks to a fantastic effort of Martin Svrcek – reeling in the trio ahead of the final ten kilometers of the day.

At the base of the small climb to the line, Julian Alaphilippe was in a good position, and the Frenchman gave his all on the demanding slopes that stretched out the bunch, coming just outside the podium as Anders Foldager (Jayco-AlUla) prevailed after kicking clear in the final 150 meters. Julian was joined in the top ten by his younger Soudal Quick-Step teammate Gil Gelder, who concluded seventh and kept the jersey awarded to the best young rider of the competition.

Photo credit: ©Dario Belingheri / Getty Images