Ten days after riding to second in Il Lombardia, France’s best result in two decades at the “Classic of the Falling Leaves”, Julian Alaphilippe (Quick Step Floors) will now head to China for the final World Tour event of the season, the Tour of Guangxi.

The 25-year-old, a stage winner at Paris-Nice and Vuelta a España this season, will race in China for the second time in his career and he’ll do this knowing he has a shot at a good general classification.

Two of the six stages of the inaugural edition of the Chinese race should play into the favour of the attackers, who’ll battle out on the rolling terrain of the region located in the southern part of the country.

The other four stages will suit the fast men of the peloton, one of these being Alaphilippe’s team mate Fernando Gaviria, the Colombian who has amassed ten victories in 2017.

© Quick-Step Floors Cycling Team/ Tim De Waele

Joining the two will be Rémi Cavagna, Davide Martinelli, Maximiliano Richeze, Pieter Serry and Martin Velits who’ll bring down the curtain over his career.

“This is the final stop of the season, but we are going to China like it’s the first race of the year,” said Quick Step Floors Directeur Sportif Davide Bramati.

“We are still hungry and the team is strong, so we are hopeful as always. Looking at the roadbook there are some good possibilities for the sprinters and one uphill finish. Maybe also the escapees will have a chance or two next week. We will see how the race unfolds day by day and if there’s going to be any opportunity, then we’ll try to take it,” continued Bramati.

Quick Step Floors team for Tour of Guangxi (CHN) 2.UWT
Julian Alaphilippe (FRA)
Rémi Cavagna (FRA)
Fernando Gaviria Rendon (COL)
Davide Martinelli (ITA)
Maximiliano Richeze (ARG)
Pieter Serry (BEL)
Martin Velits (SVK)

Stages
19.10.17 Stage 1 Beihai City Criterium 107.4 km
20.10.17 Stage 2 Qinzhou – Nanning 156.7 km
21.10.17 Stage 3 Nanning City Criterium 125.4 km
22.10.17 Stage 4 Nanning – Nongla 151.0 km
23.10.17 Stage 5 Liuzhou – Guilin 212.2 km
24.10.17 Stage 6 Guilin – Guilin 168.1 km

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