Alaphilippe aiming to end QuickStep Classics drought at Brabantse Pijl – Preview

Team Deceunincks Julian Alaphilippe of France C and fellow riders wait prior to take the start of the 6th stage of the Tirreno Adriatico cycling race 215 km from Apecchio to Carpegna Marche region on March 12 2022 Photo by Luca Bettini AFP Photo by LUCA BETTINIAFP via Getty Images
World champion Alaphilippe will be hoping to reclaim his 2020 title on Wednesday (Image credit: LUCA BETTINIAFP via Getty Images)

Julian Alaphilippe is back at the Ardennes Classics, riding Brabantse Pijl as a warm-up for a shot at a fourth La Flèche Wallonne title and a first Liège-Bastogne-Liège victory after several near misses at La Doyenne.

The Frenchman is the headline name at Wednesday's race, which this year occupies a unique position in the calendar. It follows Amstel Gold Race but comes before Paris-Roubaix due to the French Presidential election. Alaphilippe will not ride Paris-Roubaix, his spring campaign is focused on the hilly Ardennes. 

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Senior news writer

Dani Ostanek is Senior News Writer at Cyclingnews, having joined in 2017 as a freelance contributor and later being hired full-time. Prior to joining the team, they had written for numerous major publications in the cycling world, including CyclingWeekly, Rouleur, and CyclingTips.

 

Dani has reported from the world's top races, including the Tour de France and the spring Classics, and has interviewed many of the sport's biggest stars, including Wout van Aert, Remco Evenepoel, Demi Vollering, and Anna van der Breggen.

 

As well as original reporting, news and feature writing, and production work, Dani also oversees The Leadout newsletter and How to Watch guides throughout the season. Their favourite races are Strade Bianche and the Volta a Portugal.

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