Alaphilippe: "Today was my day"

April 18 ^th 2018 - 17:08

Julian Alapahilippe (Quick-Step Floors): “Finishing twice behind Alejandro Valverde, it was first a surprise and then a huge frustration but also a confirmation. I really wanted to win a big race, and to win today, la Flèche wallonne, ahead of Alejandro Valverde, it’s something special. I didn’t even know I had won. I thought Nibali was still ahead Jelle Vanvendert set a high tempo during the whole climb. I was feeling good and then I pushed as hard as possible until the line and I saw nobody came past me. My cousin told me right after that it was good. The tactic was easy: I was the sole leader for Quick-Step. Everybody wanted to put pressure on Movistar. The team was very aggressive in the final, there was always someone to cover every move and I always had a teammate with me. We played it smart with Maximilian Schachmann. I was in a perfect position for the Mur and then the legs spoke. Today was my day. I’ve been feeling good al day. We’ll do the reconnaissance for Liège on Friday and it will be time to fully focus on this final classic before a small break. Now I want to enjoy. It’s a special win for me and the team.”