Alaphilippe, 30, had not won since the 1st stage of the Tour de Wallonie in July, one of his only two victories in a year 2022 marred by falls and injuries.
His success in the Ardèche, on a rough track, comes in a context of tension with the manager of his Soudal-Quick-Step team Patrick Lefevère, who has complained that he does not see the former double world champion win often enough.
"It's been a long time, when I think back to my last victory. A lot has happened since then. It especially validates all the work of the last few weeks. I knew that my condition was getting better and better and today I I'm really happy because the team delivered a great job. Then, we collaborated well with David Gaudu", reacted Alaphilippe in the finish area.
The two men escaped 23 km from the finish when tackling the climb to Saint-Romain-de-Lerps, 6 km long with a 10% drop.
They could not decide between themselves in the last difficulty of the day, the Val d'enfer, then Alaphilippe settled his breakaway companion in the sprint.
"I really wanted to get over that last bump and bet everything on the sprint. Because I saw that on that long climb, when I attacked, he responded right away. I knew it would be a long time yet. until the finish. I bet on my little burst of speed and that did it", welcomed the former double world champion, recognizing "a relief".
"I made a lot of sacrifices to perfect my condition for all the races coming up," added Alaphilippe, always very popular, who will start the Strade Bianche on March 4 and the Tirreno Adriatico (March 6-12). .
Gaudu noted that he had "lacked a little explosiveness against Julian": "I have nothing to regret. I believed in it when he launched. I was well in his wheel but when I I wanted to go up it, I got stuck. There is a bit of disappointment but I am satisfied to see that the form is there as Paris-Nice presents itself".
The start of the race was animated by a long breakaway from Rémi Cavagna and Valentin Ferron, caught 33 kilometers from the finish.
© 2023 AFP