Not selected for the Grande Boucle by his Quick-Step team after being seriously injured in a fall on the Belgian classic Liège-Bastogne-Liège last April, Alaphilippe (30) postponed his end-of-season ambitions on the Tour d Spain (August 19-September 11) before the Worlds in September in Australia and the Tour of Lombardy (October 8).
The French puncheur maintains a special relationship with the Tour de l'Ain, where he opened his professional list during the 2014 edition by winning a stage in Arbent.
The Normand Guillaume Martin (Cofidis), 14th in the Giro and who, tested positive for Covid, had to abandon the Tour de France, will also be a serious competitor to succeed the Australian Michael Storer, who had flown over the race. in 2021 but will not be at the start on Tuesday.
The profile of the Tour de l'Ain, traditionally conducive to complete riders with climbing qualities, could also suit New Zealander George Benett (UAE) and Frenchmen Clément Venturini (AG2R) and Julien Bernard (Trek Segafredo).
The event (from August 9 to 11) comprises three stages, one on the plain between Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne and Val Revermont and two others in the middle mountains, first between Saint-Vulbas and Lagnieu with twice the ascent (by both sides) of the Col de Portes (1st cat.), then between the Plateau d'Hauteville and the ski resort of Lélex-Monts-Jura, with the Col de Menthières (1st cat.) to be crossed twice.
The program
1st stage (Tuesday): Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne - Val-Revermont (150.9 km)
2nd stage (Wednesday): Saint-Vulbas - Lagnieu (142.5 km)
3rd stage (Thursday): Plateau d'Hauteville - Lélex-Mont-Jura (128.9 km)
The last ten winners
2021 Michael Storer
2020 Primoz Roglic
2019 Thibaut Pinot
2018 Arthur Vichot
2017 Thibaut Pinot
2016 Sam Oomen
2015 Alexandre Geniez
2014 Bert-Jan Lindeman
2013 Romain Bardet
2012Andrew Talansky
© 2022 AFP