Colombia Oro y Paz: Alaphilippe wins stage 4 uphill finish in El Tambo

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February 9 is the national ‘day of the journalist’ in Colombia. It may be hard to believe – and there were some dubious reactions to the information in the international press van at the Oro y Paz race on Friday morning – but the media are very much celebrated here.

You only have to look at ESPN bike presenter Mario Sabato, who is more of a hit with fans here than most local riders. A couple of hours after Sabato made his way up the final ramp to the finish line atop El Tambo, stopping for hundreds of selfies, Julian Alaphilippe (Quick-Step Floors) came tearing up to take victory on stage 4.

After three wins in as many days for sprinter Fernando Gaviria, the Colombians were finally able to see their hallowed climbers in action but the 5km ascent of El Tumbo would prove better suited to the explosive kick of Alaphilippe.

Sergio Henao (Team Sky) and Rigoberto Urán (EF-Drapac) both attacked as the peloton thinned in the final couple of kilometres but Alaphilippe bided his time and broke free with ease in the final 100 metres. Henao was second and Quintana third, with Urán, Jhonathan Narvaez (Quick-Step Floors), Egan Bernal (Sky), and Ivan Sosa (Androni) coming in three seconds behind. Those riders are now the primary candidates for the overall title when the race concludes atop Manizales on Sunday.

Aside from Alaphilippe’s promising early-season form and Quick-Step’s 100 per cent record at the race so far, the day of the journalist was a day when the scale of the media operation here – and by extension the magnitude of this event – was thrown into stark relief.

“Is this the biggest win of your career?” was one of the first questions thrown the way of the Frenchman in the media mixed zone at the finish line. And it wasn’t thrown without a struggle. As the various reporters scrambled and shouted over each other to ask their question, Quick-Step’s press officer had to step in and say ‘woah, one at a time’.

“No, not of my career, no,” said a slightly embarrassed Alaphilippe, winner of a stage at the Vuelta a España five months ago.

The rest of the questions weren’t so myopic but they nevertheless reflected the overwhelming theme of this new race, which is a celebration of everything Colombian. This is the first time an international professional peloton has competed in Colombia and it’s been billed as a seminal moment not just for Colombian cycling but the nation as a whole as it continues its transition to Paz – peace.

National pride has spilled over all week and the media are a key part of that. Their sheer number speaks volumes about the significance of the event. With around 75 journalists on the race, the mixed zone and press room bear more resemblance to those of the Tour de France than an ordinary category 2.1 race. By extension, the crowds at all four stages so far have been nothing short of extraordinary.

Nairo Quintana, Rigoberto Urán et al are asked daily how happy they are to be able to be here, competing on home soil. Even Ivan Basso and Alberto Contador, who have been flown out as guests of the race, have found themselves at the centre of several full-on media scrums, quizzed on their impressions of Colombia and its young talent.

Saturday’s stage packs another punchy finish that should suit Alaphilippe, while no one’s quite sure is Manizales on Sunday will be steep enough for him to lose significant ground to the Colombians waiting in the wings.

“I’m really happy to be here,” said Alaphilippe when the obligatory question came. “There are good roads, a lot of people, and we are made to feel really welcome. The people here really love cycling, so it’s really nice for us.”

However well that went down with the local press corps, they’ll still be hoping Manizales is steep.

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