Two-time world champion Julian Alaphilippe of Soudal Quick Step won the fourth stage of the Czech Tour. UAE Emirates' Marc Hirschi finished second in the sprint in Šternberk to confirm his overall victory. Martin Voltr of the Slovakian team Pierre Baguette was the best of the Czech cyclists in the final standings.
"We set the pace throughout the second half of the stage. I was already a bit tired, but I tried to stay calm. We had a clear plan, which we managed to fulfil completely," said French cyclist Julian Alaphilippe with a smile at the finish line, for whom the Czech Tour 2024 was a test of form for the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris.
"I believe I will recover well now and give a good performance. I had a bit of a cold in the previous days, but now I am 100% fit and I feel really great," said thirty-two-year-old Julian Alaphilippe, who thoroughly enjoyed the four stages on the Czech roads. "As a team we won two stages. Luke Lamperti won the opening leg and I closed with a triumph after a sprint on a nice circuit. The cobbles in Sternberg were much better than those in the Belgian classics. Overall, I enjoyed the race," praised the Soudal Quick-Step leader.
His triumph came after an attack on the final climb of the last circuit in Sternberg, where only Marc Hirschi was able to respond to his charge. For a while it seemed that even the Swiss rider could not handle the pace of his French rival. However, in the end the pair joined at the front and rode onto the finishing straight with a slight lead. Julian Alaphilippe entered the sprint in the lead, which was decisive.
"I didn't have the speed I needed until the last corner, plus Julian was really super strong. But I'm still happy because the overall victory in the Czech Tour is a great result," rejoiced UAE Emirates leader Marc Hirschi.
He admitted that the final stage was definitely not a leisurely ride. "Especially the beginning was very nervous and stressful. There was a lot of wind, there were also rain showers. I was worried about the yellow jersey for a while," the Swiss cyclist said about the start of the last stage of the Czech Tour. "I really liked the final circuit. But I was glad that it didn't rain, because it would have been very dangerous to finish on the cobbles," Marc Hirschi did not hide the fact that he respected the cobbles in Sternberk.
He took home the trophy from the Czech Tour 2024, which featured eight World Teams-licensed formations, for winning the second stage and the overall championship, and added a triumph in the points competition. Michal Schuran of ATT Investments was the king of the summit competition. The white jersey for the best young rider went to Germany's Marco Brenner of Tudor Pro Cycling.
Foto: Jan Brychta, Lukáš Wagneter, Markéta Navrátilová
