Team Deceuninck-Quick-Step's French rider Julian Alaphilippe celebrates his victory at the Tour de France stage 13, a 27.2km individual time trial in Pau, France, July 19, 2019. /VCG Photo
France's Julian Alaphilippe continued to amaze as he claimed an impressive victory in the 13th stage of the Tour de France, a 27.2km individual time trial, to extend his overall lead on Friday.
The Deceuninck-Quick-Step rider clocked 35 minutes over the lumpy course to beat defending champion Geraint Thomas by 14 seconds and Belgian Thomas de Gendt by 36 seconds.
Alaphilippe became the first Frenchman to win an individual time trial since Jean-Francois Bernard in 1987.
Following his second stage win this year, Alaphilippe was ahead of Thomas, who was emerging as Team Ineos' sole leader.
"I knew on that kind of course I could perform but I didn't think I could win. The route suited me so I told myself 'give everything, you have nothing to lose,'" said world No. 1 Alaphilippe, winner of the Milan San Remo classic this season.
"I pushed my limits, it was crazy with the crowds, I don't realize yet."
Team Ineos' British cyclist Geraint Thomas rides toward the finish line of the Tour de France stage 13 in Pau, France, July 19, 2019. /VCG Photo
Thomas believes Alaphilippe is the favorite
Thomas labeled Alaphilippe the Tour de France favorite after the individual time trial.
"I didn't really expect that. He's obviously going incredibly well, so he's certainly the favorite and the one to watch at the minute," said Thomas.
"For sure, the way he's riding, if he can keep that up then he'll win."
"There is a long way to go and a lot of hard stages to come now," Thomas added.
Spectators take pictures of Team Lotto-Soudal's Belgian rider Thomas de Gendt during the Tour de France stage 13 in Pau, France, July 19, 2019. /VCG Photo
Stage 13 featured a 27.2km individual time trial in Pau, a city on the northern edge of the Pyrenees, France, on July 19.
Top 3 riders from stage 13
1. Julian Alaphilippe (France/Team Deceuninck-Quick-Step) 35 minutes
2. Geraint Thomas (UK/Team Ineos) +14 seconds
3. Thomas de Gendt (Belgium/Team Lotto-Soudal) +36 seconds
General ranking of Top 3 riders after stage 13
1. Julian Alaphilippe (France/Team Deceuninck-Quick-Step) 53 hours, 1 minute and 9 seconds
2. Geraint Thomas (UK/Team Ineos) + 1 minute and 26 seconds
3. Steven Kruijswijk (Netherlands/Team Jumbo-Visma) +2 minutes and 12 seconds
(With input from agencies)