French cyclist Julian Alaphilippe marked his triumphant return to form with a commanding win in the 12th stage of the Giro d’Italia on Thursday, ending a challenging period marred by injuries.
The 31-year-old, a former double world champion, emerged victorious after a dominant performance in the 126km stage, securing a solo victory after a breakaway effort. Slovenian rider Tadej Pogacar retained the overall race leader’s pink jersey.
Alaphilippe broke away from Italian rider Mirco Maestri on the final climb of the day, sealing his victory in the stage that stretched along the Adriatic Coast to Fano, Italy.
“It feels good!” expressed Alaphilippe, who was competing in his debut Giro and completed a stage win across all three Grand Tours—France, Italy, and Spain. “It’s a victory that means a lot to me, an important victory. I thank my team for their excellent control of the stage. It was a dream to win at the Giro, and I’m glad to have achieved it.”
After initiating an attack around 138km from the finish, Alaphilippe and Maestri collaborated effectively to fend off chasing groups in the hilly terrain conducive to breakaways.
Alaphilippe’s victory marks his 42nd career win and represents a significant milestone after enduring two challenging years following a serious fall in Liege-Bastogne-Liege in April 2022. His return to top form coincides with his success in Italy, where he previously clinched notable victories such as Milan-San Remo, Strade Bianche, and the World Championships.
Pogacar, acknowledging Alaphilippe’s impressive performance, lauded him as one of the best riders globally, while Alaphilippe’s sporting director praised his resilience and determination, highlighting his remarkable comeback after a difficult period.
