Julian Alaphilippe abandons Clásica San Sebastián 2019

The Frenchman climbed off after just 80km of racing

Julian Alaphilippe at the Clásica San Sebastián 2019 (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
(Image credit: Getty Images)
By Jonny Long
published

Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck - Quick-Step) has abandoned the Clásica San Sebastián, his first race following the Tour de France 2019.

The Frenchman abandoned with around 80km raced and 147km remaining, just after the third category climb to Alkiza, the third climb of the day.

Update: Deceuninck – Quick-Step explain Julian Alaphilippe’s Clásica San Sebastián abandon

Alaphilippe was the favourite at the start of the day to defend his title, having beaten Bauke Mollema (Trek-Segafredo) in a sprint finish at the 2018 edition of the race.

The reason for Alaphilippe's abandon is not yet known, and may allow his young Belgian team-mate Remco Evenepoel the opportunity to take the race on, with Deceuninck - Quick-Step arriving in San Sebastian with a strong line-up including Dries Devenyns and Enric Mas.

Earlier in the race, Ineos' David de la Cruz also abandoned, with the British outfit taking Egan Bernal, Jonathan Castroviejo and Wout Poels to the Spanish race, coming off the back of the Tour de France.

The remaining favourites to take the victory include Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) and Simon Yates (Mitchelton-Scott), the Brit having recently taken two Tour stage wins.

Updates to follow... 

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Jonny Long

Hi. I'm Cycling Weekly's Weekend Editor. I like writing offbeat features and eating too much bread when working out on the road at bike races.


Before joining Cycling Weekly I worked at The Tab and I've also written for Vice, Time Out, and worked freelance for The Telegraph (I know, but I needed the money at the time so let me live).


I also worked for ITV Cycling between 2011-2018 on their Tour de France and Vuelta a España coverage. Sometimes I'd be helping the producers make the programme and other times I'd be getting the lunches. Just in case you were wondering - Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen had the same ham sandwich every day, it was great.

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