TOPS

The favorites were unable to make the difference in the high percentages, the sprinters were able to play their card to the fullest. In this game, it is, as often, Jasper Philipsen who comes out on top. The Belgian rider snatches victory from Michael Matthews, still well led by Mathieu van der Poel. After the victory of its leader last year, Alpecin-Deceuninck scores a double.

He was the most prominent Frenchman of the day. Despite a very unfavorable context at the start of 2024, Julian Alaphilippe held his ground high throughout the race, sticking to the wheel of the main favorites. He finished ninth, in the group of sprinters, ahead of Mathieu van der Poel and Tom Pidcock. Only Frenchman in the Top 10. Quentin Pacher and Benoît Cosnefroy in the Top 20.

FLOPS

Highly anticipated, the Slovenian held his place but was not sharp enough. A first attack on the climb to Poggio, without consequences. Everyone followed. A second attack a few hectometers later, this time downhill. Only Mathieu van der Poel jumped on board. Tom Pidcock follows just behind. However, the sprinters will return in the descent and around ten runners compete for the finish. Tadej Pogacar could not do anything.

Defending winner, the Belgian was the other runner of the day. He never knew how to liven up the race. “VDP” was content to follow “Pogi”, without ever taking the initiative. He finally became a luxury teammate for Jasper Philipsen’s final victory.

Highly anticipated, the climb of Poggio – four kilometers, eight kilometers from the finish – was unable to decide the final winner. A climb that is nevertheless renowned as the hardest in the world. But the successive attacks of Tadej Pogacar and Matej Mohoric were unable to delay the sprinters. Ultimately, all that for that.

Christophe Laporte was never able to achieve the final victory. The Frenchman, among the outsiders of the day, was dropped among the first, more than 30 kilometers from the finish. Regrettable for the European champion since the finish in a sprint with a few units could have suited this adventurer-sprinter.