 "World champion cyclist Julian Alaphilippe recovers from embarrassing Liege defeat to win at Brabantse Pijl")
Brussels: World champion road racer Julian Alaphilippe won the Belgian semi-classic la Flèche Brabançonne after coming out on top of a cat-and-mouse three-way finale. It was his first win with his world champion rainbow coloured jersey and bike after his farcical finish at Liege-Bastigne-Liege on Sunday. “It’s not a revenge win,” said the affable Frenchman. “Its just great to get a win in this,” he said pointing to the jersey he will wear for a year. At Liege Alaphilippe had raised his arms in celebration way too soon and was pipped embarrassingly on the line after stopping peddling.
On Wednesday Alaphilippe came home centimetres ahead of one of cycling’s rising stars, Mathieu van der Poel, the grandson of legendary Tour de France rider Raymond Poulidor. “I won’t sleep a wink tonight,” said Van der Poel. “I made a slight mistake and was so stunned I stopped pushing for a moment.” Alaphilippe said he had signed up for the race late. “I’m very happy I came,” said the world champion, “I only came because the Amstel Gold was cancelled.” Alaphilippe’s next target comes as the Belgian classics season reaches its apex October 18 as much of the nation grinds to a halt to watch the Tour of Flanders at huge all-day parties.