Exhibition by Alaphilippe to retain his World Champion title in Flanders

After a tough course full of changes of pace, Julian Alaphilippe was crowned World Champion in Flanders for the second year in a row, a region where cycling is more than just a sport.

Julian Alaphilippe retains his World Champion title in Flanders 2021

With a route of almost 270 km, the race started with an early breakaway, some tense situations and crashes that knocked out riders such as the Italian Matteo Trentin, and with the Belgian fans fully committed to cheer the riders and especially the local star and one of the top favourites, Wout van Aert.

After neutralising the first breakaway, the Belgian team was very much at the forefront of the peloton and it was with around 80 kilometres to go that a lead group was formed with a large list of favourites: Julian Alaphilippe, Valentin Madouas, Florian Enechal, Remco Evenepoel, Jasper Stuyven, Wout van Aert, Matej Mohoric, Andrea Bagioli, Sonny Colbrelli, Giacomo Nizzollo, Thomas Pidcock, Dylan van Baarle, Mathieu van der Poel, Michael Valgren, Markus Hoelgaard, Neilson Powless and Zdenek Stybar. The next World Champion was in this group.

Frenchman Julian Alaphillipe was the first to prove with two hard attacks, approximately 50 km from the finish, who was able to respond to his changes of pace. Alaphillipe proved that he was capable of doing some damage with some continuity.

With 25 kilometres to go the front group already had more than 2 minutes advantage over the peloton and after doing a fantastic job, Remco Evenepoel was the first to drop out after having fulfilled the task of helping his compatriot Wout van Aert and not letting anyone else reach that group.

Alaphillippe tried another attack with 21 kilometres to go, this time with the help of his team-mate Maduoas, and they broke away from the group by a couple of kilometres. The group was splitting up and Alaphilippe was still looking the strongest, although he was unable to open up the gap needed to make a definitive break or drop riders. Van Aert and Van der Poel did not respond well to the Frenchman's attacks and both managed to stay in front but did not offer good sensations.

WHAT AN ATTACK @alafpolak1 #Flanders2021 pic.twitter.com/Bca3wtMgSE

— UCI (@UCI_cycling) September 26, 2021

But Julian Alaphilippe was still at a much higher level and again attacked with 16 kilometres to go when the group had not yet recovered from the previous one. This time, the Frenchman did not look behind to find team-mates and he opened up a 14-second lead that smelled of another achievement like the previous year.

Alaphilippe's exhibition seemed definitive and he faced the last kilometres carried by the Belgian fans who were now totally committed to the Frenchman.

Julian Alaphilippe entered the finish line as Cycling World Champion for the second year in a row. Something that very few have achieved and that leaves him on the doorstep of entering the select club of cyclists with 3 World titles. 

Behind him, the silver and bronze medals were decided in a sprint. Dylan van Baarle from the Netherlands took silver and Michael Hundahl from Denmark took bronze.