The Japan Times - Alaphilippe faces Italian challenge on return to Tour Down Under

Frenchman Alaphilippe, who won men's world road race titles in 2020 and 2021, will face a challenge from Italian pair Filippo Ganna and Elia Viviani (Ineos Grenadiers).

Grace Brown will defend her women's title, the Australian renewing her rivalry with three-time winner Amanda Spratt in the three-stage women's race.

Alaphilippe (Soudal Quick-Step) announced Wednesday he would skip this year's Tour de France to concentrate on the Giro d'Italia, during a packed 2024 calendar that also features the Paris Olympics.

"Between Australia, the classics and the Giro, I wanted a change," said Alaphilippe who views the six-stage Tour Down Under as a key part of his preparations for his debut in the Italian feature.

"It's a very complete season, you have to make choices and stick to them ... with a possible participation in the Paris Olympics in mind."

Alaphilippe made his professional debut at the Tour Down Under 10 years ago.

- 'Emotion and joy' -

"I still remember the emotion and joy I felt upon pinning on a number for my first race with the Soudal Quick-Step team here in 2014," he said.

"I'm excited to be back where it all began and I hope for a good start to the season."

A favourite with fans, six-time Tour de France stage winner Alaphilippe came agonisingly close to winning in 2019, losing the yellow jersey just three days out from the Paris finish line.

The 31-year-old is on the comeback trail after suffering broken ribs and a collapsed lung in a high speed crash in April 2022, and being hampered by a knee injury last year.

Nine-time Grand Tour stage winner Viviani will be a threat and loves to race in Australia.

"The best years that I've had as a pro started at the Tour Down Under," he said.

"I won stages in 2018 and 2019. The big goal is to really start my season with a stage win in Australia."

Australia's Jay Vine is unable to defend his title because of injury, leaving double Australian road race champion Luke Plapp as the best hope of a home winner.

Plapp's Jayco-Alula team have 2023 runner-up Simon Yates from England and Australian sprint star Caleb Ewan in their line-up.

The men's tour begins Tuesday and will finish with two gruelling climbs on Willunga Hill and the finale on Mount Lofty.

The women's event was dominated by Lidl-Trek's Spratt 2017 to 2019 and the 36-year-old veteran should be suited by this year's summit finish up the lung-busting Willunga Hill.

Brown, who finished 10 seconds ahead of Spratt a year ago, will also have to contend with FDJ SUEZ teammate and noted hill-climber Cecilie Uttrup-Ludwig from Denmark.

The 2020 winner, Amrican Ruth Edwards (Human Powered Health), is making her return after a two-year absence from the world circuit.

T.Shimizu--JT