Schlagwort-Archive: Critérium du Dauphiné

CRITÉRIUM DU DAUPHINÉ 2023 BASTILLE ON THE HORIZON

Etappenrennen, Vorschau, ,

Key points:
 The route for the 75th edition of the Critérium du Dauphiné, which will take place between 4th and 11th June, was unveiled this morning in Lyon by Bernard Thévenet, a two times winner of the race (1975-76) and Gilles Maignan, the race director, in the presence of the president of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes regional council, Laurent Wauquiez.
 Eight stages are on the programme, covering a total of 1207.2 kilometres, starting from Chambon-sur-Lac in the Puy-de-Dôme department.
 The confrontation between the pretenders for the title should increase in intensity with the time-trial that winds through the Loire department, before reaching a climax during the final weekend. The highest stage finish in history will take place on Saturday at the Col de la Croix-de-Fer pass, while on Sunday the race will reacquaint itself with the Bastille climb on the heights above Grenoble, which the race has not visited since the edition in 2000.

Because Critérium du Dauphiné week is considered as decisive in preparing for the Tour de France by the riders taking part, they would be well advised to show balance in all circumstances and rely on strategy to gain a real grasp of the route for the 2023 edition. This was the way Jonas Vingegaard did it last year, launching his summer campaign by taking second place on the Alpine race behind his team-mate Primoz Roglic. The Dane’s example could be followed by all the pretenders for victory on the Dauphiné and the Tour de France, starting with the race’s sequence in the Auvergne. In the Puy-de-Dôme department at Chambon-sur-Lac to kick off proceedings or on the way to La Chaise-Dieu in the Haute-Loire department, the undulating profile of the stages as well as the dynamics of the circuits will encourage the riders to be both watchful and to show initiative. The sprinters will very likely have pride of place as the race heads to Le Coteau during stage 3, before another phase in the event unfolds as from the traditional time-trial on Wednesday and its 31.1-km route between Cours and Belmont-de-la-Loire.

The most powerful pedallers will have certainly taken command of the provisional race hierarchy that will have been established before the riders tackle a progressive increase in pressure and altitude. The visit to the Jura department and Salins-les-Bains could just as easily be dominated by a spontaneous breakaway or battle between the favourites. The contest will be even more serious on the road to the Savoy department resort of Crest-Voland, which they will reach after having climbed over the Col des Aravis pass and battled it out on a final ascent of 2.5 km and 6.2% average gradient.

However, nothing will be decided before the weekend, during which each day may give rise to major upheavals. Sudden developments are customary on the Dauphiné and the programme for Saturday could indeed blow apart the general classification, with a total of more than 4,000 metres of climbing over a distance of 147.7 kilometres. Never before has a Critérium du Dauphiné finishing line been held as high as on the Col de Croix-de-Fer pass, at an altitude of 2,067 metres, three more than at La Plagne two years ago! The terrain is ideal for a climber to make a major statement, but the following day, the road to Grenoble contains all the ingredients for another to take revenge. In the last fifty kilometres, the climbs up the Col du Granier, Col de Cucheron and then the Col de Porte passes boast gradients conducive to attacks. All that will remain is to plunge down into Grenoble to then confront the short but formidable climb up to the Bastille Fort. In 1977, a very young Bernard Hinault crossed the finishing line as winner, with blood stains on his face and his first major leader’s jersey, which just goes to show that there is not just one famous Bastille in France’s history!

The finishes of the Critérium du Dauphiné at La Bastille
. 1977: Romans-sur-Isère > Bastille (214 km), won by Bernard Hinault
. 1979: Bastille > Bastille (Ind. t-t., 4 km), won by Bernard Hinault
. 1981: Bastille > Bastille (prologue, 3 km), won by Johan Van der Velde
. 1982: Bourgoin > Bastille (187.5 km), won by Robert Alban
. 1988: Grenoble > Bastille (Ind. t-t., 26.7 km), won by Lucho Herrera
. 1989: Crest > Bastille (230 km), won by Thierry Claveyrolat
. 1993: Bonneville > Bastille (192 km), won by Laurent Dufaux
. 1996: Briançon > Bastille (174 km), won by Luc Leblanc
. 2000: Bastille > Bastille (prologue, 3.6 km), won by Alberto Lopez de Munain

The stages of the 75th edition:
Sunday 4 June stage 1: Chambon-sur-Lac > Chambon-sur-Lac, 157,7 km
Monday 5 June, stage 2: Brassac-les-Mines > La Chaise-Dieu, 167,3 km
Tuesday 6 June, stage 3: Monistrol-sur-Loire > Le Coteau, 191,3 km
Wednesday 7 June, stage 4: Cours > Belmont-de-la-Loire, 31,1 km (clm-ind.)
Thursday 8 June, stage 5: Cormoranche-sur-Saône > Salins-les-Bains, 191,1 km
Friday 9 June, stage 6: Nantua > Crest-Voland, 168,2 km
Saturday 10 June, stage 7: Porte-de-Savoie > Col de la Croix de Fer, 147,7 km
Sunday 11 June, stage 8: Le Pont-de-Claix > La Bastille – Grenoble Alpes Métropole, 152,8 km

22 teams selected

In accordance with Union Cycliste Internationale rules, the following eighteen UCI WorldTeams are automatically invited to the race:

AG2R Citroën Team (Fra)
Alpecin-Deceuninck (Bel)
Astana Qazaqstan Team (Kaz)
Bahrain Victorious (Brn)
Bora – Hansgrohe (Ger)
Cofidis (Fra)
EF Education – Easypost (Usa)
Groupama – FDJ (Fra)
INEOS Grenadiers (Gbr)
Intermarché – Circus – Wanty (Bel)
Jumbo-Visma (Ned)
Movistar Team (Esp)
Soudal Quick-Step (Bel)
Team Jayco AlUla (Aus)
Team Arkea – Samsic (Fra)
Team DSM (Ned)
Trek – Segafredo (Usa)
UAE Team Emirates (Uae)

Furthermore, the first two teams in the 2022 classification of UCI ProTeams will take part by right in Critérium du Dauphiné 2023.
Lotto Dstny (Bel)
TotalEnergies (Fra)

The organisers have invited the following teams:
Israel – Premier Tech (Isr)
Uno-X Pro Cycling Team (Nor)

CRITÉRIUM DU DAUPHINÉ: A VOLCANIC START AMONG THE ‘PUYS’

Etappenrennen, Vorschau, ,

Key points :
 Proceedings for the 75th edition of the Critérium du Dauphiné will be kicked off in Chambon-sur-Lac, at the heart of the Auvergne region’s ancient volcanoes. It will be the second start of the event in the Puy-de-Dôme department following the gathering of the peloton in Clermont-Ferrand in 2020.
 The route of the first stage is 158-km long, beginning and finishing in Chambon-sur-Lac: the surrounding relief will already give observers an indication of who are the riders in form at the time.

The riders take part in the Critérium du Dauphiné to find the answers to all the questions concerning them with a month to go before the Tour de France and, naturally, to achieve prestigious victories likely to boost their confidence. For this date inscribed in their diaries on the first weekend of June, they will find themselves in familiar territory. While Chambon-sur-Lac will be proudly adding its name to the map of the event for the first time, several neighbouring municipalities have recently given the elite riders opportunities to express themselves on a variety of terrains. In 2020, it was in the Puy-de-Dôme department, in Clermont-Ferrand, that Wout van Aert victoriously opened an edition reduced to five stages and moved to August due to the exceptional “Covid year” schedule. The following year in Issoire, Brent Van Moer made a solo breakaway to pick up his finest victory. Finally, in 2022, it was even nearer to the slopes of the Puy de Sancy that David Gaudu surprised Wout van Aert to pip him at the post on the finishing line in Chastreix.

On the programme for 2023, the route of the first stage has been traced out to start and finish at Chambon-sur-Lac, taking in a 158-kilometre expedition among the direct surroundings of the town, spread over four loops. In particular, the first will take the peloton to the ski resort of Mont-Dore, while the second, measuring 23 kilometres and containing three laps of the same circuit, will include obstacles to the sprinters’ ambitions such as the Côte du Rocher de l’Aigle (900 m with an average gradient of 6.7%). In total, there will be 2,860 m of climbing during the day, with the relief of the Auvergne putting the riders to the test from the outset. The visit to Chambon-sur-Lac will also offer the riders a short preview of the 10th stage of the Tour de France 2023, since the peloton will be passing through the municipality midway between Vulcania and Issoire in July.

@ASO

Criterium Dauphine Etappe 8

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Saint-Alban-Leysse – Plateau de Solaison – 139 Km

1 VINGEGAARD Jonas DEN JUMBO – VISMA 03:49:20
2 ROGLIČ Primož SLO JUMBO – VISMA 00:00
3 O’CONNOR Ben AUS AG2R CITROEN TEAM 00:15
4 CHAVES Jhoan Esteban COL EF EDUCATION – EASYPOST 0,353
5 ALMEIDA GUERREIRO Ruben Antonio POR EF EDUCATION – EASYPOST 00:53
6 CARUSO Damiano ITA BAHRAIN VICTORIOUS 00:55
7 MEINTJES Louis RSA INTERMARCHE – WANTY – GOBERT MATER. 00:55
8 HAIG Jack AUS BAHRAIN VICTORIOUS 00:55
9 KRUIJSWIJK Steven NED JUMBO – VISMA 01:20
10 JOHANNESSEN Tobias Halland NOR UNO-X PRO CYCLING TEAM 01:40
11 MCNULTY Brandon USA UAE TEAM EMIRATES 01:45
12 BENNETT George NZL UAE TEAM EMIRATES 02:01
13 GEOGHEGAN HART Tao GBR INEOS GRENADIERS 02:08
14 KONRAD Patrick AUT BORA – HANSGROHE 03:03
15 BARGUIL Warren FRA TEAM ARKEA – SAMSIC 03:03

Endstand:

1 ROGLIČ Primož SLO JUMBO – VISMA 29:11:22
2 VINGEGAARD Jonas DEN JUMBO – VISMA 00:40
3 O’CONNOR Ben AUS AG2R CITROEN TEAM 01:41
4 CARUSO Damiano ITA BAHRAIN VICTORIOUS 02:33
5 HAIG Jack AUS BAHRAIN VICTORIOUS 03:13
6 MEINTJES Louis RSA INTERMARCHE – WANTY – GOBERT MATER. 03:17
7 CHAVES Jhoan Esteban COL EF EDUCATION – EASYPOST 03:18
8 GEOGHEGAN HART Tao GBR INEOS GRENADIERS 03:44
9 ALMEIDA GUERREIRO Ruben Antonio POR EF EDUCATION – EASYPOST 03:48
10 JOHANNESSEN Tobias Halland NOR UNO-X PRO CYCLING TEAM 03:51
11 MCNULTY Brandon USA UAE TEAM EMIRATES 04:57
12 KONRAD Patrick AUT BORA – HANSGROHE 05:37
13 JORGENSON Matteo USA MOVISTAR TEAM 07:06
14 CRAS Steff BEL LOTTO SOUDAL 07:10
15 HAYTER Ethan GBR INEOS GRENADIERS 08:06

Patrick Konrad beendet das Critérium du Dauphiné auf Platz zwölf der Gesamtwertung

Der letzte Tagesabschnitt des Critérium du Dauphiné führte über bergige 138,8km von Saint-Alban-Leysse zum Plateau de Solaison. Mit dem ersten Anstieg direkt nach dem Start, dem Col de la Colombière und einer schweren Bergankunft ein weiterer Tag für die Kletterer. Matteo Fabbro schaffte auch heute wieder den Sprung in die Ausreißergruppe des Tages, fiel aber am Anstieg zum Col de la Colombière zurück in das Hauptfeld. Der letzte Berg hinauf zum Ziel war zugleich der schwerste des Tages. Mit einem beherzten Kampf in der Gruppe der Favoriten konnte sich Patrick Konrad noch um einen Rang in der Gesamtwertung verbessern und die Rundfahrt auf Platz zwölf abschließen.

Reaktionen im Ziel

„Auch wenn ich hier bei der Dauphiné Rundfahrt kein Top-Ergebnis erreichen konnte bin ich mit meiner Leistung zufrieden. Die letzten Monate waren nicht einfach für mich und in Anbetracht dessen war die Dauphiné ein wichtiger Schritt sowie ein wichtiger Baustein in meinem Formaufbau. Jetzt geht es mit vollem Fokus auf die nächsten Ziele in ein Höhentrainigslager.“ Patrick Konrad

„Matteo Fabbro hat sich auch heute wieder stark präsentiert und den Sprung in die hart umkämpfte Spitzengruppe geschafft. Mit Patrick Konrad sind wir mit Top-10 Ambitionen in den letzten Tag gegangen, am Ende hat es leider nicht ganz gereicht. Auch wenn wir uns etwas mehr erhofft haben von dieser Rundfahrt, die Leistung von Patrick ist nach seinen gesundheitlichen Problemen in den letzten Monaten definitiv ein Schritt in die richtige Richtung und stimmt uns mit Blick auf die kommenden Ziele auf jeden Fall positiv. “ Christian Pömer, Sportlicher Leiter

Roglic and Vingegaard share glory

Jonas Vingegaard has powered to an impressive stage win at the Plateau de Solaison ahead of Primoz Roglic, who sealed his overall victory at the final summit of the 74th Critérium du Dauphiné.
The Jumbo-Visma collective had already taken a significant advantage ahead of the final stage, with the Slovenian leader wearing the yellow and blue jersey ahead of his Danish lieutenant.
They put even more emphasis to their domination with the support of the whole black and yellow train and especially Steven Kruijswijk, who smashed the GC group to pieces on the final ascent. Ben O’Connor (AG2R Citroën) was the last rival to resist, but he couldn’t keep up with Vingegaard’s decisive acceleration 5km away from the finish.
The Australian climber rounds out the podium of the stage and the overall standings.

The final summit of the Critérium du Dauphiné is almost in sight, as the 134-rider peloton (1 non-starter: Enric Mas) roll from Saint-Alban-Leysse towards Plateau de Solaison. They immediately face the climb to Col de Plainpalais (cat.1, summit at km 8.8), where a major battle for the breakaway unfolds.

15 riders at the front
After many attacks and counter-attacks, Pierre Rolland (B&B Hotels-KTM) goes first over the top with the polka-dot jersey on his shoulders and 13 companions by his side : Eddie Dunbar, Laurens De Plus (Ineos Grenadiers), Matteo Fabbro (Bora-Hansgrohe), Bruno Armirail, Michael Storer (Groupama-FDJ), George Bennett (UAE Team Emirates), Antonio Tiberi, Kenny Elissonde, Antwan Tolhoek (Trek-Segafredo), Simon Geschke (Cofidis), Alexis Vuillermoz (TotalEnergies), Jan Hirt (Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux) et Franck Bonnamour (B&B Hotels-KTM).
Gorka Izagirre (Movistar) makes it 15 riders at the front as he bridges the gap towards the second ascent of the day, Col de Leschaux (cat.3, km 30.8), also summited first by Rolland. Primoz Roglic’s Jumbo-Visma control the gap between 2’ and 2’30’’ on the valley leading to the final challenges of the Critérium du Dauphiné 2022.

Attackers try to fend off Jumbo-Visma
The gap is down to 1’35’’ at the bottom of the climb to the Col de la Colombière (cat.1, km 100.5). Armirail and Storer immediately accelerate and only three riders follow the Groupama-FDJ duo at the front: Dunbar, Bennett and Elissonde. The gap increases to 2’15’’ with 6km to go to the summit, but Jumbo-Visma also pick up the pace. They trail by 2’ when Armirail steps aside with 3km to go to the summit.

De Plus and Hirt join the front of the race in the last km of ascent. The gap to the bunch is down to 1’35’’ again when they dive into the downhill towards the final climb of the day.

Kruijswijk, Vingegaard, Roglic: collective dominance
Wout van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) drives the bunch on the downhill and the valley. At the bottom of the climb to Plateau de Solaison, the gap is down to 1’05’’. Steven Kruijswijk sets a brutal pace in the bunch. Bennett is the last attacker to be caught, 6.5km away from the finish. By that time, only six riders remain at the front: Kruijswijk, Vingegaard and Roglic for Jumbo-Visma, Ben O’Connor (AG2R Citroën), Esteban Chaves (EF Education-EasyPost) and Jack Haig (Bahrain Victorious).
Kruijswijk keeps pushing until Vingegaard accelerates with 5.3km to go. O’Connor tries to resist but he can’t keep up with the Jumbo-Visma duo, who collaborate at the front and share the prizes at the summit: the stage win for Vingegaard and the overall victory for Roglic. O’Connor finishes with a gap of 15’’.

Vingegaard: “Very happy and proud”
„It was quite incredible. We had planned to attack and that [Primoz Roglic] should follow me because we wanted to see if we could drop everyone. We succeeded with that so I think we can be very happy and proud of what we did. In the Ardennes classic, I didn’t have the best period but now I’m back at a really high level adnn for sure I’m really happy about it. It’s one of the biggest races in the world. To win a stage and to be second overall is great for me. To be honest, it would be hard to be 1-2 in the Tour because there will be many GC contenders. But we aim to at least have one of us win the Tour.“
@ASO

Criterium Dauphine Etappe 7

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Saint-Chaffrey – Vaujany – 135 Km

1 VERONA Carlos ESP MOVISTAR TEAM 03:53:35
2 ROGLIČ Primož SLO JUMBO – VISMA 00:13
3 VINGEGAARD Jonas DEN JUMBO – VISMA 00:25
4 O’CONNOR Ben AUS AG2R CITROEN TEAM 00:27
5 JOHANNESSEN Tobias Halland NOR UNO-X PRO CYCLING TEAM 00:39
6 CHAVES Jhoan Esteban COL EF EDUCATION – EASYPOST 00:40
7 GAUDU David FRA GROUPAMA – FDJ 00:40
8 MEINTJES Louis RSA INTERMARCHE – WANTY – GOBERT MATER. 00:40
9 GEOGHEGAN HART Tao GBR INEOS GRENADIERS 00:48
10 HAIG Jack AUS BAHRAIN VICTORIOUS 00:56
11 CARUSO Damiano ITA BAHRAIN VICTORIOUS 00:56
12 ALMEIDA GUERREIRO Ruben Antonio POR EF EDUCATION – EASYPOST 01:13
13 KONRAD Patrick AUT BORA – HANSGROHE 01:19
14 JORGENSON Matteo USA MOVISTAR TEAM 01:19
15 VERMAERKE Kevin USA TEAM DSM 01:26

Gesamt:

1 ROGLIČ Primož SLO JUMBO – VISMA 25:22:08
2 VINGEGAARD Jonas DEN JUMBO – VISMA 00:44
3 O’CONNOR Ben AUS AG2R CITROEN TEAM 01:24
4 GEOGHEGAN HART Tao GBR INEOS GRENADIERS 01:30
5 CARUSO Damiano ITA BAHRAIN VICTORIOUS 01:32
6 GAUDU David FRA GROUPAMA – FDJ 01:40
7 JOHANNESSEN Tobias Halland NOR UNO-X PRO CYCLING TEAM 02:05
8 JORGENSON Matteo USA MOVISTAR TEAM 02:06
9 HAIG Jack AUS BAHRAIN VICTORIOUS 02:12
10 MEINTJES Louis RSA INTERMARCHE – WANTY – GOBERT MATER. 02:16
11 CATTANEO Mattia ITA QUICK-STEP ALPHA VINYL TEAM 02:17
12 CHAVES Jhoan Esteban COL EF EDUCATION – EASYPOST 02:19
13 KONRAD Patrick AUT BORA – HANSGROHE 02:28
14 HAYTER Ethan GBR INEOS GRENADIERS 02:43
15 ALMEIDA GUERREIRO Ruben Antonio POR EF EDUCATION – EASYPOST 02:49

Critérium du Dauphiné: BORA – hansgrohe im Finale der siebten Etappe geschlagen

Auf der siebten Etappe des Critérium du Dauphiné wartete die Königsetappe der Rundfahrt auf die Fahrer. Auf nur 134,8km galt es den Col du Galibier, den Col de la Croix de Fer und einen 5,7km langen Schlussanstieg nach Vaujany zu bewältigen. Matteo Fabbro war Teil einer großen Spitzengruppe, die in der Abfahrt vom Col du Galibier zustande kam und im Anstieg zum Col de la Croix de Fer wieder auseinander fiel. Zu Beginn des finalen Anstiegs nach Vaujany waren Wilco Kelderman und Patrick Konrad noch in der Gruppe um die Favoriten für die Gesamtwertung vertreten bevor dann zuerst Wilco und später Patrick die Tempoverschärfungen nicht mehr mitgehen konnten. Der Sieg ging an C. Verona, Patrick Konrad kam auf Platz 13 über die Ziellinie und behält ebendiesen auch in der Gesamtwertung.

Reaktionen im Ziel

„Bereits am Croix de Fer wurde das Finale eingeleitet, das Tempo war extrem hoch, um die Spitzengruppe einzuholen und das Feld zu dezimieren. Am letzten Anstieg wäre ich gerne eine Gruppe weiter vorne dabei gewesen, aber morgen kommt noch ein schwerer Tag und die Top-10 sind auf jeden Fall in Reichweite.“ Patrick Konrad

„Wir wollten heute um jeden Preis mit Matteo Fabbro in der Spitzengruppe vertreten sein. Matteo hat dies perfekt umgesetzt und bei schwierigen Windverhältnissen am Col du Galibier den Sprung in die Gruppe des Tages geschafft. Am nächsten langen Anstieg hinauf zum Croix de Fer konnte er nach dem Kraftakt vom Galibier der Spitzengruppe nicht mehr folgen. Beim großen Showdown am letzten Anstieg hatten dann leider weder Wilco Kelderman noch Patrick Konrad die Beine, um ein Spitzenergebnis auf dieser Etappe einzufahren. Vor der letzten Etappe sind die Top-10 der Gesamtwertung für Patrick noch in Reichweite, insgesamt aber hätten wir uns für heute und auch für Gesamtwertung etwas mehr erhofft.“ Christian Pömer, Sportlicher Leiter

Verona wins, Roglic dominates

The first Alpine stage of the Critérium du Dauphiné 2022 has brought an all-out battle in the mountains until Carlos Verona (Movistar) took the win in Vaujany and Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma) powered to the yellow and blue jersey. The Spanish climber was the strongest from an impressive group that went away on the first ascent of the day, the mighty Col du Galibier. He maintained a gap of 13’’ to Roglic, who finished 2nd of the stage ahead of his teammate Jonas Vingegaard. Wout van Aert was dropped on the climb to Col de la Croix-de-Fer but Jumbo-Visma still smashed the final ascent of the day and they dominate the overall standings ahead of the final stage: Roglic is the new leader, 44’’ ahead of Vingegaard. Ben O’Connor (AG2R Citroën) is their first chaser, with a gap of 1’24’’.

The race sets off into the Alps with 138 riders (3 non-starters: Meeus, Froome, Groenewegen) and countless candidates for the breakaway. With an uphill start leading to the Col du Galibier (HC ascent, summit at km 26.5), attacks fly left and right, with Pierre Rolland (B&B Hotels-KTM) among the most active riders to defend his polka-dot jersey.

A massive breakaway
The French climber is the first over the top, alongside Matteo Fabbro (Bora-Hansgrohe). Chasers are all over the road, and 16 of them bridge the gap on the downhill towards Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne: Andrey Amador (Ineos Grenadiers), Luis Leon Sanchez (Bahrain Victorious), Gregor Muhlberger, Carlos Verona (Movistar), Bruno Armirail (Groupama-FDJ), Omer Goldstein (Israel Premier Tech), Dries Devenyns (Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl), Andres Ardila (UAE Team Emirates), Kenny Elissonde, Toms Skujins, Jasper Stuyven (Trek-Segafredo), Victor Lafay (Cofidis), Simon Guglielmi (Arkea-Samsic), Laurens Huys (Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux), Mark Donovan, Kevin Vermaerke (Team DSM).
Jumbo-Visma drive the bunch and the gap increases to 2’30’’ on the valley leading to the second HC-climb of the day, towards the Col de La-Croix-de-Fer. Mark Donovan attacks on the first slopes. Into the last 50km of the stage, he has a 30’’ lead to his chasers, and the peloton trail by 3’30’’. Luis Leon Sanchez leads the virtual standings as he was trailing by 2’47’’ on GC at the start of the day.

Van Aert is dropped as the pressure increases on La-Croix-de-Fer
Halfway through the 29km ascent, the gap between Donovan and his chasers is up to 1’05’’ and the peloton trail by 4’05’’. Jasper Stuyven drives the chase behind Donovan and Uno-X up the pace in the bunch. Donovan is caught with 7km of ascent remaining, and the gap to the bunch is down to 2’50’’.
Five riders emerge at the front on the final kilometres of ascent: Rolland, who takes the 15 KOM points at the summit, Muhlberger, Verona, Lafay and Elissonde. In the bunch, Groupama-FDJ and then Bahrain Victorious increase the pressure and Wout van Aert is dropped inside the last 3km. Cattaneo also struggles, and Primoz Roglic is the virtual leader as he summits with a gap of 1’50’’ to the front of the race.

Vingegaard prepares Roglic’s assault
Verona and Elissonde accelerate on the downhill, while stragglers return to the chase group. At the bottom of the final ascent to Vaujany (5.7km at 7.2%), Guglielmi, Vermaerke, Skujins and Muhlberger are 25’’ behind the lead duo. The peloton trail by 1’30’’.
Verona immediately attacks and drops Elissonde. In the GC group, Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma) sets a brutal pace for Primoz Roglic, who attacks in the final 2km of ascent. Verona can feel the pressure behind him, but the Spaniard maintains a gap of 13’’ on the line. Vingegaard finishes 3rd (+25’’), ahead of Ben O’Connor (AG2R Citroën, +27’’) and Tobias Halland Johannessen (Uno-X, +39’’).
@ASO

Criterium Dauphine Etappe 6

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Rives – Gap – 196 Km

1 FERRON Valentin FRA TOTALENERGIES 04:22:17
2 ROLLAND Pierre FRA B&B HOTELS – KTM 00:03
3 BARGUIL Warren FRA TEAM ARKÉA SAMSIC 00:03
4 BAGIOLI Andrea ITA QUICK-STEP ALPHA VINYL TEAM 00:03
5 BOUCHARD Geoffrey FRA AG2R CITROËN TEAM 00:03
6 LAFAY Victor FRA COFIDIS 00:03
7 MOLANO Juan Sebastián COL UAE TEAM EMIRATES 00:32 DSQ wegen Faustschlag
8 BOASSON HAGEN Edvald NOR TOTALENERGIES 00:32
9 GROENEWEGEN Dylan NED TEAM BIKEEXCHANGE – JAYCO 00:32
10 LOUVEL Matis FRA TEAM ARKÉA SAMSIC 00:32

Gesamt:

1 VAN AERT Wout BEL JUMBO-VISMA 21:27:20
2 CATTANEO Mattia ITA QUICK-STEP ALPHA VINYL TEAM 01:03
3 ROGLIČ Primož SLO JUMBO-VISMA 01:06
4 HAYTER Ethan GBR INEOS GRENADIERS 01:32
5 VINGEGAARD Jonas DEN JUMBO-VISMA 01:36
6 CARUSO Damiano ITA BAHRAIN – VICTORIOUS 01:49
7 GEOGHEGAN HART Tao GBR INEOS GRENADIERS 01:55
8 JORGENSON Matteo USA MOVISTAR TEAM 02:00
9 O’CONNOR Ben AUS AG2R CITROËN TEAM 02:10
10 KELDERMAN Wilco NED BORA – HANSGROHE 02:12

Critérium du Dauphiné: Ausreißersieg in Gap, Jordi Meeus auf Platz zehn

Auf der sechsten Etappe des Critérium du Dauphiné stand mit 196,5 Kilometern zwischen Rives und Gap der längste Tagesabschnitt der Rundfahrt auf dem Programm. Eine hügelige, mit zwei Bergwertungen der zweiten Kategorie aber durchaus anspruchsvolle Etappe. Die sechsköpfige Ausreißergruppe des Tages konnte sich zum zweiten Mal während dieser Woche durchsetzen und den Sieg unter sich ausmachen. V. Ferron war am Ende der Schnellste, Jordi Meeus kam im Sprint des Hauptfeldes auf Platz zehn. Die verbleibenden und für die Gesamtwertung entscheidenden Etappen führen das Peloton ab morgen ins Hochgebirge. Für BORA – hansgrohe liegen Wilco Kelderman und Patrick Konrad auf den Rängen zehn und 13 weiterhin in aussichtsreicher Position.

Reaktionen im Ziel
„Ziel für heute war ganz klar einen Fahrer in der Spitzengruppe zu platzieren, leider ist uns dies nicht gelungen. Plan B war der Sprint für Jordi Meeus, als aber absehbar war, dass die Spitzengruppe durchkommen würde haben wir unsere Bemühungen in der Nachführarbeit eingestellt. Mit Hinblick auf die bevorstehenden zwei schweren Tage in den Bergen sind wir heute insgesamt relativ ressourcenschonend durchgekommen und gehen jetzt mit unseren beiden Fahrern für die Gesamtwertung zuversichtlich in das Finale der Rundfahrt.“ Christian Pömer, Sportlicher Leiter

Ferron outwits companions for first World Tour win

Valentin Ferron outwitted his breakaway companions in the Gap finale of the 196.5-km 6th stage of the Criterium du Dauphiné on Friday, surging under the red flame to clinch his first World Tour victory. Emulating Total Energies team-mate Alexis Vuillermoz a few days earlier, the 24-year-old Frenchman won ahead of compatriot Pierre Rolland, who strengthened his KOM lead, and a third Frenchman, Warren Barguil.
It was the third French victory in this Dauphiné, two other stages having crowned Wout VanAert, who retained his yellow jersey ahead of a mountainous final weekend.

Seven in the lead
The start was given at 11:34 to 146 riders. The peloton left Rives without white jersey contender Juan Ayuso (UAE Team Emirates), who felt unwell and unfit to start. The peloton was jittery from the gun as break attempts multiplied and a group of three finally broke clear: Andrea Bagioli (Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl), Jasper Stuyven (Trek-Segafredo) and Lukasz Owsian (Arkea Samsic). But the trio was reined in at kilometre 36. The first climb of the day, Cote de Ste Eulalie en Royans (4th cat.), was an opportunity for former race leader Alexis Vuillermoz to surge with Kevin Geniets, Mikkel Honoré and Samuele Battistella but they were quickly reeled in. As Michal Kwiatkowski (Ineos Grenadiers) called it quits, the break of the day took shape in the second climb, the 3rd category Cote des Grands-Goulets, where KOM leader Pierre Rolland led the way, followed by six other riders. The seven escapees were Geoffrey Bouchard (AG2R-Citroen), Bruno Armirail (Groupama-FDJ), Andrea Bagioli (Quick Step-Alpha Vinyl), Victor Lafay (Cofidis), Valentin Ferron (Total Energies), Warren Barguil (Arkea Samsic) and Pierre Rolland (B&B Hotels) and the pack seemed content to let them go as the gap steadily increased.

Rolland strengthens KOM lead
While the lead settled at around four minutes – reaching a maximum of 4:25 –, Pierre Rolland kept collecting points for his polka-dot jersey by finishing first in the second category climbs of the day, Col de Rousset (km 74.3) and Col de Cabre (Km 138.7). The Frenchman picked 12 points to take his overall tally to 29. In this last climb, Armirail lost ground and was dropped by his former breakaway companions. The sprint of the day went to Warren Barguil, who collected ten seconds and three points ahead of Ferron and Bouchard. Dylan Groenewegen also struggled in the final ascent of the fat but still had plenty of time to close the gap until the eponymous finish town.

Jumbo secure the jersey
Jumbo-Visma passed the baton to Trek-Segafredo to lead the bunch but no team seemed really determined to chase behind the break and the lead was still of three minutes with 30 km to go. Wout Van Aert’s team-mates looked content with maintaining a small enough gap not to lose the yellow jersey – Bagioli lying 3:02 at the start –, leaving the six escapees to battle it out for the stage laurels. The gap was down to one minute with 5 km to go, when Bouchard attacked to try to part with his companions. But the six kept working together until the red flame. It was then that Ferron, who had only won a stage in the Tour du Rwanda before this, decided to go for it. He took the five others off their guard and Rolland and Barguil were left to settle for a podium place.

Valentin Ferron : « A reward for a lot of work »
„It’s huge. It’s the result of a lot of work. Every day you hope to win but you have to enjoy a World Tour victory because there won’t be a lot in a career. It’s an achievement, a great satisfaction in a sports career. It was a great breakaway group, with strong guys in the front. I was not the fastest so when I saw that there was a lull I decide to surge and go for it and it worked. It’s great. It’s a special feeling to win here. We’ll celebrate tonight and maybe it will sink in then. This year, you can tell that the dynamics are good in the team, everybody is involved and it’s fine. A lot of riders have already won a race this season.“
@ASO

Criterium Dauphine – BEN O’CONNOR: “I AM JUST MATURING”

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The Australian rider has made a great start as leader of the AG2R Citroën Team in 2021, finishing his first Tour de France just off the podium after winning the Tignes stage. Consistently well placed since the beginning of the year, Ben O’Connor will be competing in the Critérium du Dauphiné with the highest of ambitions… and why not that of succeeding fellow Aussie Richie Porte.


Photo by Plomi

Ben O’Connor, you have had a very successful start to the season with honourable finishes in all the stage races you have completed. What have you changed to become so consistent?
I am rather pleased with how I have been riding so far, but it could have been even better. For example, I was fifth in the Tour de Romandie but I felt that I could have finished on the podium and why not win if everything had gone better.
However, you can’t say that I have changed much about how I ride or my training. I’m just maturing, I’m still developing physically and my level is rising naturally. I am 26 years old and the years of hard work are starting to pay off. My body is adapting to the demands of these races and is responding better and better to very ambitious goals. I am also becoming more confident. I used to hope to become a general classification rider. Now I am a general classification rider.

Among the highlights of your 2022 season so far, there was that prestigious stage win in the Tour of Catalonia.
On Paris-Nice, I was both very proud and very disappointed. I had to pull out of the race because I got sick but there is no doubt that the form was there. So, when I arrived at the Volta a Catalunya, I wanted to get some revenge. And when I won the La Molina stage, I got the validation I was waiting for and that all the work I put in over the winter paid off. In terms of confidence, of course, it is one of the important days of this year.

„The days when climbers were inevitably bad on flat roads are over; I can also do well in time trials“

The Critérium du Dauphiné is a new opportunity to continue your progression. Have you drawn up a strategy?
The time has come to go for a podium in a major World Tour event. It would be my first and I know that it is now possible for me to win these types of races. I have some ideas in mind but, for example, I am not sure that it is necessary to push on the Sancy stage. Clearly it is a challenge but the last climb is not steep enough to make a big difference. On the other hand, the time trial will be crucial. I haven’t done many this year and I am eager to see where I stand in this respect. I believe that the days when climbers were inevitably bad on flat roads are over. I can also do well in time trials.

After your unanimously acclaimed performance in the 2021 Tour de France, you still said that you were „still far from the riding level of the best, I can’t even begin to think about it“. In hindsight, do you still feel the same way?
My Tour adventure last year was extraordinary and I couldn’t even begin to imagine what happened. To win a stage and finish fourth overall in Paris is something huge. And I did it! But of course, you always want to do better. That’s why you become an athlete and why you have to invest so much in this job. So I have changed my view compared to last year and I feel capable of aiming for the top this summer. It was also encouraging to see my friend Jai Hindley win the Giro. He is also from Perth and we have known each other for a long time. When I saw him win, I told myself I too can do it.
@ASO

Criterium Dauphine Etappe 5

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Thizy-les-Bourgs – Chaintré – 162 Km

1 VAN AERT Wout BEL JUMBO-VISMA 03:38:35
2 MEEUS Jordi BEL BORA – HANSGROHE 00:00
3 HAYTER Ethan GBR INEOS GRENADIERS 00:00
4 BOASSON HAGEN Edvald NOR TOTALENERGIES 00:00
5 PAGE Hugo FRA INTERMARCHÉ – WANTY – GOBERT MATÉRIAUX 00:00
6 STUYVEN Jasper BEL TREK – SEGAFREDO 00:00
7 BAGIOLI Andrea ITA QUICK-STEP ALPHA VINYL TEAM 00:00
8 BAKELANTS Jan BEL INTERMARCHÉ – WANTY – GOBERT MATÉRIAUX 00:00
9 LOUVEL Matis FRA TEAM ARKÉA SAMSIC 00:00
10 MOLANO Juan Sebastián COL UAE TEAM EMIRATES 00:00
11 SCHÖNBERGER Sebastian AUT B&B HOTELS – KTM 00:00
12 VENTURINI Clément FRA AG2R CITROËN TEAM 00:00
13 CLARKE Simon AUS ISRAEL – PREMIER TECH 00:00
14 LAPORTE Christophe FRA JUMBO-VISMA 00:00
15 THOMAS Benjamin FRA COFIDIS 00:00
16 MOZZATO Luca ITA B&B HOTELS – KTM 00:00
17 POLITT Nils GER BORA – HANSGROHE 00:00

Gesamt:

1 VAN AERT Wout BEL JUMBO-VISMA 17:04:31
2 CATTANEO Mattia ITA QUICK-STEP ALPHA VINYL TEAM 01:03
3 ROGLIČ Primož SLO JUMBO-VISMA 01:06
4 HAYTER Ethan GBR INEOS GRENADIERS 01:32
5 VINGEGAARD Jonas DEN JUMBO-VISMA 01:36
6 CARUSO Damiano ITA BAHRAIN – VICTORIOUS 01:49
7 GEOGHEGAN HART Tao GBR INEOS GRENADIERS 01:55
8 AYUSO Juan ESP UAE TEAM EMIRATES 01:58
9 JORGENSON Matteo USA MOVISTAR TEAM 02:00
10 O’CONNOR Ben AUS AG2R CITROËN TEAM 02:10
11 KELDERMAN Wilco NED BORA – HANSGROHE 02:12
12 GAUDU David FRA GROUPAMA – FDJ 02:13
13 MAS Enric ESP MOVISTAR TEAM 02:17
14 KONRAD Patrick AUT BORA – HANSGROHE 02:22
15 TEUNS Dylan BEL BAHRAIN – VICTORIOUS 02:25

Jordi Meeus sprintet in einem extrem knappen Finale zu Platz zwei auf der fünften Etappe des Critérium du Dauphiné

Die fünfte, 162,3km lange Etappe des Critérium du Dauphiné von Thizy-les-Bourgs nach Chaintré war topographisch die leichteste der Rundfahrt. Für die endschnellen Fahrer die vielleicht letzte Chance auf einen Massensprint bevor es auf den verbleibenden Etappen in deutlich bergigeres Terrain geht. Eine frühe Ausreißergruppe wurde erst auf dem letzten Kilometer vom heranrasenden Feld gestellt. Nach einer starken Teamleistung und perfekter Vorarbeit von Nils Politt konnte Jordi Meeus in einem extrem knappen Finale zu Platz zwei sprinten. Nur wenige Zentimeter trennten den Belgier dabei vom anvisierten Etappensieg, der heute an seinen Landsmann W. Van Aert ging.

Reaktionen im Ziel
„Für mich galt es zuerst die kurzen und steilen Anstiege vor dem Finale zu überleben, um dann im Sprint dabei zu sein. Vielen Dank an die Jungs, die heute eine super Arbeit geleistet haben und speziell an Nils Politt, der mich den Sprint perfekt vorbereitet hat. Ich bin längere Zeit keinen Sprint mehr gefahren und auch wenn das Ziel heute klar der Etappensieg war bin ich mit Platz zwei sehr zufrieden und glücklich.“ Jordi Meeus

„Das war knapp heute! Das Rennen ist grundsätzlich so verlaufen wie wir es erwartet hatten. Zu Beginn der Etappe gab es einen harten Kampf um die Spitzengruppe, die uns heute trotz intensiver Bemühungen aus taktischen Gründen verwehrt geblieben ist. Im Folgenden galt es speziell an den letzten Anstiegen die Sprinterteams unter Druck zu setzen, um so die Chancen für Jordi Meeus zu erhöhen. Knapp war es zuerst für die Fluchtgruppe, die erst auf dem letzten Kilometer gestellt werden konnte, noch knapper war es dann für Jordi Meeus, dem nur wenige Zentimeter zum anvisierten Etappensieg gefehlt haben. Trotz der hauchdünnen Entscheidung freuen wir uns sehr über diesen zweiten Platz heute.“ Christian Pömer, Sportlicher Leiter

Van Aert bounces back to victory in a thriller

„I love to win“, Wout van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) claimed on Wednesday, and so he did on Thursday, in Chaintré, after a thrilling finale to cap off stage 5 of the Critérium du Dauphiné, covered at blazing speeds.
The Belgian star, narrowly beaten on the past three days, outsprinted Jordi Meeus (Bora-Hansgrohe) with a minimal margin after the attackers were caught inside the last 100 metres! Ethan Hayter (Ineos Grenadiers) rounded out the podium. The 10 bonus seconds see Van Aert increase his lead in the overall standings ahead of the final three stages.

The start from Thizy-les-Bourgs sees 148 riders set off towards Chaintré, with 162.5 rolling kilometres on the menu. Attackers are inspired and the battle for the breakaway is a very intense one, with 46.2km covered in the first hour!

3+2=5 riders at the front
After many attempts, the first ascent of the day, Col des Escorbans (cat.3, summit at km 27.9), serves as a springboard for three riders to launch themselves at the front of the race: Fabien Doubey (TotalEnergies), followed by Jan Bakelants (Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux) and Benjamin Thomas (Cofidis).
Two more attackers set off in pursuit, the polka-dot jersey Pierre Rolland (B&B Hotels-KTM) and Benjamin Thomas (Cofidis). They bridge the gap to the leaders at the bottom of the 2nd ascent of the day, Côte de Dun (cat.2, km 52.3). Jumbo-Visma control the gap under 3 minutes.

Full-on battle between the bunch and the break
Rolland takes the 5 KOM points at the summit and then drops back to the peloton while Dylan Groenewegen’s BikeExchange-Jayco start pulling behind the four attackers remaining at the front. They bring the gap down to 1’15’’ with 70km to go.
The attackers accelerate cover 47.1km in the third hour and their lead is back up to 2 minute with 30km to go. Filippo Ganna (Ineos Grenadiers) sets the pace in the bunch as they face the penultimate climb of the day, Col du Bois Clair (cat.4). The Italian star cuts the gap down to 1’25’’ at the summit (km 138.2).

A thrilling finale
Ineos Grenadiers maintain a hard pace on the final ascent, Côte de Vergisson (cat.4, km 149.6). Groenewegen is dropped in the last km of ascent. At the summit, the peloton trail by 35’’. And the Dutch sprinter is 35’’ further behind.
Thomas, Doubey, Bakelants and Schönberger are still 10’’ ahead as they enter the last kilometre. Even Primoz Roglic has to take a turn at the front of the bunch. The attackers are eventually caught inside the last 100 metres, when Wout van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) powers to victory just ahead of Jordi Meeus (Bora-Hansgrohe).

Van Aert: „If even GC guys with 60kg pull…“
„Until the last kilometre, I was focused on catching the break and then I quickly shifted to trying to do a good sprint. Luckily Christophe [Laporte] did a master pull in the end and before I asked the boys to do everything they could. If even GC guys with 60kg pull in the front, you know you have to finish it off. It’s huge to win again on the Dauphiné. Today it was really hard again to catch the break. I needed all my teammates to bridge the gap and it worked out in the end. I’m really proud of my teammates.“
@ASO

Criterium Dauphine Etappe 4 – ITT

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Montbrison – La Bâtie d’Urfé ITT – 32 Km

1 GANNA Filippo ITA INEOS GRENADIERS 00:35:32
2 VAN AERT Wout BEL JUMBO-VISMA 00:02
3 HAYTER Ethan GBR INEOS GRENADIERS 00:17
4 CATTANEO Mattia ITA QUICK-STEP ALPHA VINYL TEAM 00:39
5 ROGLIČ Primož SLO JUMBO-VISMA 00:42
6 DURBRIDGE Luke AUS TEAM BIKEEXCHANGE – JAYCO 00:53
7 VINGEGAARD Jonas DEN JUMBO-VISMA 01:12
8 CARUSO Damiano ITA BAHRAIN – VICTORIOUS 01:25
9 GEOGHEGAN HART Tao GBR INEOS GRENADIERS 01:31
10 AYUSO Juan ESP UAE TEAM EMIRATES 01:34
11 JORGENSON Matteo USA MOVISTAR TEAM 01:36
12 STEIMLE Jannik GER QUICK-STEP ALPHA VINYL TEAM 01:40
13 KWIATKOWSKI Michał POL INEOS GRENADIERS 01:41
14 O’CONNOR Ben AUS AG2R CITROËN TEAM 01:46
15 KELDERMAN Wilco NED BORA – HANSGROHE 01:48

Gesamt:

1 VAN AERT Wout BEL JUMBO-VISMA 13:26:06
2 CATTANEO Mattia ITA QUICK-STEP ALPHA VINYL TEAM 00:53
3 ROGLIČ Primož SLO JUMBO-VISMA 00:56
4 VINGEGAARD Jonas DEN JUMBO-VISMA 01:26
5 HAYTER Ethan GBR INEOS GRENADIERS 01:26
6 CARUSO Damiano ITA BAHRAIN – VICTORIOUS 01:39
7 GEOGHEGAN HART Tao GBR INEOS GRENADIERS 01:45
8 AYUSO Juan ESP UAE TEAM EMIRATES 01:48
9 JORGENSON Matteo USA MOVISTAR TEAM 01:50
10 O’CONNOR Ben AUS AG2R CITROËN TEAM 02:00
11 KELDERMAN Wilco NED BORA – HANSGROHE 02:02
12 GAUDU David FRA GROUPAMA – FDJ 02:03
13 MAS Enric ESP MOVISTAR TEAM 02:07
14 KONRAD Patrick AUT BORA – HANSGROHE 02:12
15 TEUNS Dylan BEL BAHRAIN – VICTORIOUS 02:15

BORA – hansgrohe blickt mit der Doppelspitze Kelderman/Konrad zuversichtlich auf die zweite Hälfte der Rundfahrt

Auf der vierten Etappe des Critérium du Dauphiné stand heute ein 31,9km langes und größtenteils flaches Einzelzeitfahren auf dem Programm. Sowohl Wilco Kelderman als auch Patrick Konrad konnten beim Sieg von F. Ganna eine solide Leistung abrufen und mit den Rängen elf und 14 in der Gesamtwertung eine gute Ausgangslage für die kommenden Tage in den Bergen.

Reaktionen im Ziel
„Es war ein langes, schweres und vor allem ziemlich flaches Zeitfahren heute. Mir fehlen noch ein wenig die Kilometer auf dem Zeitfahrrad in dieser Saison, aber insgesamt bin ich zufrieden mit meiner Leistung. In der Gesamtwertung habe ich vor den schweren Bergetappen auf jeden Fall eine Ausgangsposition, mit der noch viel möglich ist.“ Wilco Kelderman

„Ein Zeitfahren, das auf die Spezialisten der Disziplin maßgeschneidert war. Wilco Kelderman, der vom Giro gekommen ist und Patrick Konrad, der direkt aus dem Höhentrainingslager angereist ist, haben beide eine ansprechende Leistung gezeigt und im Kampf um die Gesamtwertung nur wenig Zeit eingebüßt. Mit dieser Doppelspitze gehen wir jetzt in die zweite, schwere Hälfte der Rundfahrt und blicken zuversichtlich auf die kommenden vier Etappen.“ Christian Pömer, Sportlicher Leiter

La Bâtie d’Urfé, Wednesday, June 8th 2022 – Filippo Ganna (Ineos Grenadiers) asserted his dominance on stage 4 of the Critérium du Dauphiné, taking victory at La Bâtie d’Urfé 2“ ahead of Wout van Aert (Jumbo-Visma). The ITT World Champion made the most of the 31.9km long opportunity laid out for him on stage 4 of the Critérium du Dauphiné 2022 with an impressive speed of almost 54km/h. Already 2nd on day 3 and winner of stage 1, Van Aert dominates the overall standings ahead of Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl Team’s Mattia Cattaneo (+53’’) and his two Jumbo-Visma companions Primoz Roglic (+56’’) and Jonas Vingegaard (+1’26’’) ahead of the main mountainous challenges. This is Ganna’s fourth victory this season in a time-trial, less than four weeks ahead of the opening TT of the Tour de France.

Criterium Dauphine Etappe 3

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Saint-Paulien – Chastreix-Sancy – 164 Km

1 GAUDU David FRA GROUPAMA – FDJ 04:09:38
2 VAN AERT Wout BEL JUMBO-VISMA 00:00
3 LAFAY Victor FRA COFIDIS 00:00
4 GUERREIRO Ruben POR EF EDUCATION-EASYPOST 00:00
5 GENIETS Kevin LUX GROUPAMA – FDJ 00:00
6 SCHULTZ Nick AUS TEAM BIKEEXCHANGE – JAYCO 00:00
7 CARUSO Damiano ITA BAHRAIN – VICTORIOUS 00:00
8 TEUNS Dylan BEL BAHRAIN – VICTORIOUS 00:00
9 JORGENSON Matteo USA MOVISTAR TEAM 00:00
10 MCNULTY Brandon USA UAE TEAM EMIRATES 00:00

Gesamt:

1 VAN AERT Wout BEL JUMBO-VISMA 12:50:32
2 GAUDU David FRA GROUPAMA – FDJ 00:06
3 LAFAY Victor FRA COFIDIS 00:12
4 KONRAD Patrick AUT BORA – HANSGROHE 00:16
5 JORGENSON Matteo USA MOVISTAR TEAM 00:16
6 GUERREIRO Ruben POR EF EDUCATION-EASYPOST 00:16
7 CHAVES Esteban COL EF EDUCATION-EASYPOST 00:16
8 ROGLIČ Primož SLO JUMBO-VISMA 00:16
9 CRAS Steff BEL LOTTO SOUDAL 00:16
10 O’CONNOR Ben AUS AG2R CITROËN TEAM 00:16
11 MCNULTY Brandon USA UAE TEAM EMIRATES 00:16
12 JOHANNESSEN Tobias Halland NOR UNO-X PRO CYCLING TEAM 00:16
13 AYUSO Juan ESP UAE TEAM EMIRATES 00:16
14 DUNBAR Eddie IRL INEOS GRENADIERS 00:16
15 CATTANEO Mattia ITA QUICK-STEP ALPHA VINYL TEAM 00:16

Patrick Konrad rückt nach der ersten Bergprüfung beim Critérium du Dauphiné auf Rang vier der Gesamtwertung vor

Der dritte Tagesabschnitt des Critérium du Dauphiné führte über 169km von Saint-Paulien nach Chastreix-Sancy und versprach mit einer 6,2km langen Bergankunft ein erster Test im Kampf um die Gesamtwertung zu sein. Eine frühe Ausreißergruppe wurde am Beginn des letzten Anstiegs vom Hauptfeld gestellt. Trotz einiger Attacken kam eine Gruppe von knapp 30 Fahrer geschlossen zum Ziel und die Etappe wurde letztlich im Sprint entschieden. Den Sieg am Fuße der Skistation von Chastreix holte sich D. Gaudu. Patrick Konrad und Wilco Kelderman kamen beide mit der ersten Gruppe über die Ziellinie, waren aber im Sprint um den Tagessieg etwas blockiert und nicht ideal positioniert. In der Gesamtwertung verbesserte sich Patrick Konrad um 15 Positionen und liegt vor dem morgigen Zeitfahren auf Rang vier.

Reaktionen im Ziel
„Es war ein hektischer und nervöser Tag mit viel Wind und engen, kurvigen Straßen. Am letzten Anstieg habe ich mich gut gefühlt, war aber im Finale etwas eingeklemmt und nicht gut genug positioniert, um noch um den Etappensieg zu sprinten. In der Gesamtwertung konnte ich mich auf Platz vier verbessern, womit ich auf jeden Fall zufrieden bin heute. Weiter geht es morgen mit dem Zeitfahren, voller Fokus auf den Kampf gegen die Uhr!“ Patrick Konrad

„Aufgrund des Rückenwindes am letzten Anstieg war es unser primäres Ziel heute unsere beiden Fahrer für das Gesamtklassement bestmöglich positioniert in den Berg zu eskortieren. Die Mannschaft hat Patrick und Wilco super unterstützt und beide sind mit der ersten Gruppe im Ziel angekommen. Patrick konnte sich auf Rang vier der Gesamtwertung verbessern, womit wir auf jeden Fall zufrieden und zuversichtlich auf die kommen Etappen blicken können. Für morgen gilt es unsere gute Ausgangslage im Gesamtklassement zu konsolidieren, bevor dann am Wochenende die schweren Bergetappen in den Alpen auf uns warten.“ Christian Pömer, Sportlicher Leiter

Wout van Aert and Jumbo-Visma thought they had done everything right to claim victory at the Chastreix-Sancy ski resort, as the Belgian star raised his arms to celebrate success atop the final climb… only to see David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ) jump ahead of him right on the finish line of stage 3 of the Critérium du Dauphiné 2022! The French climber bounces back to victory after his Spring ambitions were affected by crashes and illness.

Second ahead of Victor Lafay (Cofidis), Van Aert claims back the yellow and blue jersey he had lost on stage 2 to Alexis Vuillermoz (TotalEnergies), who couldn’t keep up in the final 2.5km of ascent. His teammates and Van Aert’s had done most of the work to reel in a strong team attack by Pierre Rolland’s B&B Hotels-KTM.

The 148 riders who finished stage 2 in Brives-Charensac are back in action for the start from Saint)Paulien at midday. Four attackers get on the move from the start: Omer Goldstein (Israel Premier Tech), Jonas Wilsly (Uno-X), Thomas Champion (Cofidis) and Sebastian Schönberger (B&B Hotels-KTM). Alexis Vuillermoz’s TotalEnergies quickly react and the gap is only up to 2’30’’ when Goldstein drops back to the bunch, after 20km of racing.
B&B Hotels-KTM give a new life to the battle for the breakaway with a team attack on the first ascent of the day, the cat-3 Côte de Saint-Vert. Pierre Rolland, leader of the KOM standings, attacks with Alexis Gougeard and Miguel Heidemann. At the summit (km 44.7), the trio trail by 3’, and the peloton are 1’30’’ further behind.

B&B Hotels-KTM vs TotalEnergies and Jumbo-Visma
An intense chase ensues, until Rolland, Gougeard and Heidemann join the front of the race at km 64. Behind them, the peloton also ride at a high pace, and the gap is stable around 2’30’’ on the valley leading to the final uphill challenges of the day.
As the race enters the last 50km and the road rises, Heidemann, Gougeard and Champion are dropped one by one. Schönberger sets the pace and Rolland goes first atop the cat-4 Côte de Besse-en-Chandesse (km 136.4).
Jumbo-Visma up the ante inside the last 30km, and the gap drops down to 1’15’’ into the last 20km. With 10km to go, the attackers only lead by 35’’. They are caught on the first slopes of the final ascent of the day, the climb to Chastreix-Sancy. Wilsly is the last attacker to be reeled in, inside the last 5km.

Gaudu edges Van Aert despite Roglic and Vingegaard’s work

Tsgabu Grmay (BikeExchange-Jayco) accelerates with 3.5km to go, Rémi Cavagna (Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl) immediately counter-attacks, and Ben O’Connor (AG2R-Citroën) also has a go 1.5km away from the finish, but Jonas Vingegaard and Primoz Roglic control every move to try and lead Van Aert to a second stage win in three days, while Alexis Vuillermoz (TotalEnergies) can’t keep up with the high pace and is dropped with 2.5km to go.
The Belgian seems to be in a prime position to sprint to victory, despite struggling a bit around the 1km to go mark. He powers ahead of everyone, but he raises his arms just before the line… By his right side, Gaudu makes the most of the situation to take his first Critérium du Dauphiné stage win, ahead of Van Aert and Victor Lafay.

David Gaudu: “I told myself I was gonna get Van Aert”
„I was a bit far behind for the final stretch, I thought I couldn’t do it. Then Kevin Geniets arrived and I followed his wheel. I felt I had strength, I saw Van Aert was going well but I told myself I was gonna get him. And I did it. I’m moved because I had been waiting for a victory like that since the start of the year. I’ve left the doubts behind me, after all the struggles at the beginning of the year. The legs felt good on the climb, that’s good for what’s coming next, especially this week-end.“
@ASO

Criterium Dauphine Etappe 2

Ergebnisse, Etappenrennen, Teamnews, , , ,

Saint-Péray – Brives-Charensac – 170 Km

1 VUILLERMOZ Alexis FRA TOTALENERGIES 04:03:34
2 SKAARSETH Anders NOR UNO-X PRO CYCLING TEAM 00:00
3 LE GAC Olivier FRA GROUPAMA – FDJ 00:00
4 VERMAERKE Kevin USA TEAM DSM 00:00
5 DELAPLACE Anthony FRA TEAM ARKÉA SAMSIC 00:00
6 VAN AERT Wout BEL JUMBO-VISMA 00:05
7 HAYTER Ethan GBR INEOS GRENADIERS 00:05
8 PAGE Hugo FRA INTERMARCHÉ – WANTY – GOBERT MATÉRIAUX 00:05
9 VENTURINI Clément FRA AG2R CITROËN TEAM 00:05
10 RIABUSHENKO Alexandr ASTANA QAZAQSTAN TEAM 00:05

Gesamt:

1 VUILLERMOZ Alexis FRA TOTALENERGIES 08:40:55
2 SKAARSETH Anders NOR UNO-X PRO CYCLING TEAM 00:03
3 LE GAC Olivier FRA GROUPAMA – FDJ 00:04
4 VAN AERT Wout BEL JUMBO-VISMA 00:05
5 VERMAERKE Kevin USA TEAM DSM 00:07
6 HAYTER Ethan GBR INEOS GRENADIERS 00:09
7 DELAPLACE Anthony FRA TEAM ARKÉA SAMSIC 00:10
8 QUINN Sean USA EF EDUCATION-EASYPOST 00:11
9 BOUET Maxime FRA TEAM ARKÉA SAMSIC 00:12
10 HUYS Laurens BEL INTERMARCHÉ – WANTY – GOBERT MATÉRIAUX 00:13

Critérium du Dauphiné: Ausreißergruppe setzt sich auf der zweiten Etappe durch, Nils Politt auf Rang 15

Die zweite Etappe des Critérium du Dauphiné führte heute von Saint-Péray über 169,8km nach Brives-Charensac. Ähnlich der gestrigen Etappe standen auch heute vier kategorisierte Anstiege und ein insgesamt hügeliges Profil auf dem Programm. Die sechsköpfige Fluchtgruppe des Tages schaffte es mit einem Vorsprung von nur fünf Sekunden bis zur Ziellinie, A. Vuillermoz war am Ende der Schnellste. Im Sprint des Hauptfeldes konnte sich Nils Politt den 15. Platz sichern. Wilco Kelderman und Patrick Konrad kamen auch heute wieder ohne Zeitrückstände oder Stürze ins Ziel und befinden sich vor der ersten Bergankunft morgen weiterhin in aussichtsreicher Position.

Reaktionen im Ziel
„Wir haben ein sehr kontrolliertes Rennen gesehen heute, am letzten Anstieg haben Ineos und EF das Tempo gemacht und die meisten Sprinter abgehängt. Im Finale waren wir knapp dran die Gruppe noch einzuholen, letztendlich aber hat es knapp nicht gereicht für das Hauptfeld. Mit meiner Form bin ich zufrieden im Moment und freue mich auf die nächsten Tage.“ Nils Politt

„Unsere Idee für die Etappe war Lukas Pöstlberger in der Ausreißergruppe des Tages dabei zu haben, da wir ein erfolgreiches Ende für die Gruppe heute als durchaus möglich eingeschätzt haben. Leider ist uns dies nicht gelungen, vielleicht auch wegen des erfolgreichen Auftritts von Lukas im letzten Jahr. Dem hohen Tempo am letzten Anstieg musste auch unser Sprinter Jordi Meeus Tribut zollen und so galt unser Fokus im Finale den beiden Fahrern um die Gesamtwertung Wilco Kelderman und Patrick Konrad. Beide befinden sich vor der morgigen ersten Bergankunft und dem Zeitfahren am Mittwoch in einer idealen Ausgangslage.“ Christian Pömer, Sports Director

Vuillermoz takes it all

Alexis Vuillermoz (TotalEnergies) enjoyed the most beautiful day on the way to Brives-Charensac, where he won stage 2 of the Critérium du Dauphiné 2022. At 33 years old, the French puncheur bounces back to success in fashion, after a very intense battle against the peloton. Wout van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) was the fastest from the bunch, again, but it only gave him a place of 6, 5 seconds behind the breakaway riders.
Alexis Vuillermoz thus takes the yellow and blue jersey, ahead of Anders Skaarseth (Uno-X) and Olivier Le Gac (Groupama-FDJ), 2nd and 3rd of the stage. This is the first time Vuillermoz takes a distinctive jersey, and he takes his first victory since 2019, after serious struggles and injuries in the recent years. It will be hard battle for the overall leadership on the way to Chastreix-Sancy resort on stage 3, on Tuesday.

The peloton start from Saint-Péray at midday, with 151 riders and sunny conditions. They quickly go through Tournon-sur-Rhône – where Fabio Aru won stage 3 in 2016 – and face uphill roads that inspire the attackers.
After 18km of battle, five riders manage to open a gap: Olivier Le Gac (Groupama-FDJ), Anders Skaarseth (Uno-X), Anthony Delaplace (Arkea-Samsic), Xandres Vervloesem (Lotto Soudal) and Kevin Vermaerke (Team DSM). Alexis Vuillermoz (TotalEnergies) quickly joins them at the front and the gap is up 3’20’’ at km 24.

BikeExchange-Jayco pull, but Groenewegen struggles

Wout van Aert’s Jumbo-Visma set the pace in the bunch on the day after the Belgian star’s dominant sprint in Beauchastel. The breakaway’s lead reaches a maximum of 4’40’’ at km 45, just ahead of the first categorised ascents of the day.

Vervloesem summits first the cat-3 climbs of Désaignes (km 56.2) and Saint-Agrève (km 63.5), but Pierre Rolland (B&B Hotels-KTM) built enough of a lead in the KOM standings on stage 1 to retain the polka-dot jersey if he reaches the finish without incidents.

Chris Harper (Jumbo-Visma) controls the gap until BikeExchange-Jayco sends Tsgabu Grmay at the front of the bunch halfway through the stage. But EF Education-EasyPost and Ineos Grenadiers up the ante on the main ascent of the day, the cat-2 climb to the Col de Mézilhac (11.6km at 4.1%), and the Dutch sprinter is dropped inside the last 3km of ascent. Vervloesem faces the same fate in the breakaway.

Roglic works, Vuillermoz dominates

At the summit (km 109.8), the peloton trail by 3’10’’, and Groenewegen, assisted by his teammates, is 50’’ further behind. The road keeps rising towards Le Gerbier de Jonc and Trek-Segafredo also participate in the chase. At the intermediate sprint (km 124.3), the gap from the attackers to the bunch is down to 1’40’’, and the Groenewegen group trail by another 1’40’’.

The five riders still at the front work well together to enter the last 25km with a lead of 1’35’’. At the bottom of the final climb – the cat-3 Côte de Rohac, to be summited with 9km to go -, the attackers lead by 45’’. Trek-Segafredo set a hard pace and the gap is down to 30’’ over the top… But the attackers maintain that advantage into the last 3km.

Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma) also participates in the chase, but it’s too late. Olivier Le Gac launches the sprint 300m away from the line. Alexis Vuillermoz quickly reacts and eventually passes his compatriot just before the line, with Anders Skaarseth squeezing in P2. Wout van Aert is the first rider from the bunch to cross the line, 5 seconds later. The Belgian star loses his yellow and blue jersey to Vuillermoz.

Vuillermoz: „I wanted to enjoy myself and it paid off“

„It’s incredible. After two years of struggles and a pelvic fracture, I could have stopped riding. But I still wanted to come back. I didn’t really believe in it today, but I saw the break was going and the team didn’t have anyone at the front, so I decided to follow because I was in a good position to do so. I wanted to enjoy myself and it paid off. It wasn’t always easy at the front as a lightweight, but I took my turns at the front. I thought we would get caught but we didn’t wait and see, we took our chance and we were right. When you’re at the front, you have to fight until the end. It was a very long sprint, a bit scrappy. When Olivier [Le Gac] attacked, I didn’t think I would come back, but he faded a bit with 50m to go. I went after him and I was afraid someone else would come back from behind, but it worked out. I’ve never worn a distinctive jersey, it will be a bliss even though it may be difficult to keep it tomorrow with the Chastreix-Sancy finish.“
@ASO

Criterium Dauphine Etappe 1

Ergebnisse, Etappenrennen, , , ,

La Voulte-sur-Rhône – Beauchastel – 192 Km

1 VAN AERT Wout BEL JUMBO – VISMA 04:37:31
2 HAYTER Ethan GBR INEOS GRENADIERS 00:00
3 QUINN Sean USA EF EDUCATION – EASYPOST 00:00
4 PAGE Hugo FRA INTERMARCHE – WANTY – GOBERT MATER. 00:00
5 BOASSON HAGEN Edvald NOR TOTALENERGIES 00:00
6 STUYVEN Jasper BEL TREK – SEGAFREDO 00:00
7 VENTURINI Clement FRA AG2R CITROEN TEAM 00:00
8 VAN GILS Maxim BEL LOTTO SOUDAL 00:00
9 THOMAS Benjamin FRA COFIDIS 00:00
10 STEIMLE Jannik GER QUICK-STEP ALPHA VINYL TEAM 00:00
11 VELASCO Simone ITA ASTANA – QAZAQSTAN TEAM 00:00
12 CRAS Steff BEL LOTTO SOUDAL 00:00
13 VERMAERKE Kevin USA TEAM DSM 00:00
14 BONNAMOUR Franck FRA B&B HOTELS – KTM 00:00
15 DEWULF Stan BEL AG2R CITROEN TEAM 00:00
16 KONRAD Patrick AUT BORA – HANSGROHE 00:00

Solider Auftakt für BORA – hansgrohe beim Critérium du Dauphiné

Mit einer 191,8km langen Etappe hat heute die achttägige Rundfahrt Critérium du Dauphiné in Frankreich begonnen. Bei sommerlich heißen Verhältnissen ging es für die Profis auf einem hügeligen Parcours mit insgesamt vier kategorisierten Anstiegen durch die Region Ardèche, wobei der schwerste Anstieg des Tages direkt nach dem Start in La Voulte sur Rhône auf dem Programm stand. Eine frühe Ausreißergruppe mit drei Fahrern wurde nach einer Tempoverschärfung im Peloton am letzten Anstieg des Tages 32km vor dem Ziel gestellt.
Im Sprint des reduzierten Pelotons holte sich W. Van Aert den Etappensieg. Mit Blick auf die Gesamtwertung war es ein solider Start für BORA – hansgrohe, alle Fahrer überquerten ohne Zeitverlust oder Sturz die Ziellinie in Beauchastel.

Reaktionen im Ziel
„Es war eine harte erste Etappe hier bei der Dauphiné! Hitze, Regen und ein extrem schnelles Finale, von allem etwas dabei. Die Etappe hatte ein Profil, das ein sehr offenes Rennen ermöglichte und somit galt es für uns stets aufmerksam und gut positioniert zu sein. Auch wenn wir unseren Sprinter Jordi Meeus nicht ganz über den letzten Berg gebracht haben war es ein guter Tag für uns. Ich habe mich gut gefühlt heute und es gab weder Stürze noch Zeitabstände – ich blicke sehr zuversichtlich auf die nächsten Tage.“ Patrick Konrad

„Das anspruchsvolle Etappenprofil plus ein sehr starkes Starterfeld – ein schwerer Tag war garantiert! Wir wollten heute zum einen unsere Fahrer um die Gesamtwertung Patrick Konrad und Wilco Kelderman sicher durch den Tag bringen und zum anderen mit unserem Sprinter Jordi Meeus im Finale vertreten sein. Jordi hat es knapp nicht mit der ersten Gruppe über den letzten Anstieg geschafft, mit Patrick und Wilco sind wir aber sicher und ohne Zeitrückstände in Beauchastel angekommen. Wir sind zufrieden mit dem Auftakt der Rundfahrt und freuen uns auf die nächsten Etappen hier in Frankreich.“ Christian Pömer, Sportlicher Leiter

Wout van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) raised his arms victoriously as early as stage 1 of the Critérium du Dauphiné 2022, outsprinting Ethan Hayter (Ineos Grenadiers) and Sean Quinn (EF Education-EasyPost) after an intense day of racing towards Beauchastel. The bunch went all out on the final ascent of the day to drop the main sprinters and battle it out for the first yellow and blue jersey.

In the end, Van Aert was the fastest, claiming his fourth stage win in the Critérium du Dauphiné. Among his previous successes, the Belgian star had already claimed victory on the first day of action in 2020, in Saint-Christo-en-Jarez. He now wants to defend his overall leadership and then hand it over to Primoz Roglic. But the first day already showed the battle should be quite open on the way to Plateau de Solaison, to be reached next Sunday.

The 154 riders of the 74th edition of the Critérium du Dauphiné start under the morning Sun, to face two loops around La Voulte-sur-Rhône and Beauchastel. Attackers quickly get into action but several teams are determined to control the breakaway. The first ascent of the day, Col de Leyrisse (cat-2, summit at km 19.5), sees some strong climbers get away.
Over the top, Pierre Rolland (B&B Hotels-KTM) has managed to open a gap of 1’30’’ to the bunch. Maxime Bouet (Arkea-Samsic) and Laurens Huys (Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux) are chasing in between the front of the race and the peloton. They quickly bridge the gap to Rolland after the summit and the gap to the bunch is up to 3’10’’ at km 23.

Rolland chases the polka dots

BikeExchange-Jayco quickly take the lead of the bunch to control the break with the support of Jumbo-Visma. They bring the gap down to around 2 minutes, while two riders are forced to early abandons: Niklas Märkl (Team DSM), who was dropped on the first ascent, and Imanol Erviti (Movistar), who suffered a crash in the parade leading to km 0 and then held on for about 30km.

At the front, Roland collects the KOM points on the ascents of Côte des Baraques (km 41) and Côte du Chambon de Bavas (km 93.1), to make sure he will take the polka-dot jersey on the podium if he finishes the stage without incidents. Participating in the Critérium du Dauphiné for the 13th time, the French climber dominated the KOM standings when he first rode it, in 2008.

All out on the Côte du Chambon de Bavas
The attackers go through the finish line for the first time and take on the final 62.7km loop with a lead of 2’05’’. The intensity seriously picks up towards the final ascent of the day, Côte du Chambon de Bavas (km 155.8), again. Trek-Segafredo put the hammer down to get rid of the sprinters.
At the summit, with 36km to go, Rolland leads the way, the peloton trail by 30’’. The main sprinters, including Dylan Groenwegen (BikeExchange-Jayco), are 40’’ further behind.
The early attackers are caught with 32km to go, and more attacks fly at the front. Mikkel Honoré (Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl) goes solo with 32km to go, but his lead never gets higher than 15’’ and the Danish rider is caught 10km later as Ineos Grenadiers up the pace.

A hard chase and a tight sprint

Groenewegen’s BikeExchange-Jayco and Mozzato’s B&B Hotels-KTM drive a hard chase to bring their sprinters back at the front. The gap is down to 20’’ into the last 8km, but Trek-Segafredo, TotalEnergies and Jumbo-Visma work together to make sure their chasers wouldn’t return.

In a reduced bunch, Rémi Cavagna (Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl) attacks with 1.5km to go. Christophe Laporte reels him for Jumbo-Visma, and Ineos Grenadiers surge to the front with Filippo Ganna and Michal Kwiatkowski trying to launch Ethan Hayter to victory. The plan was very well executed. But Wout van Aert was the fastest.

Van Aert: „I can already feel the good legs“
„Looking at the profile, we could expect a hard finale. There were lots of teams interested in dropping sprinters. I was able to hang on and I felt good for the sprint so that’s really nice. On stages like today, I can already feel the good legs and that’s a pleasure. But you still have to beat guys like [Ethan] Hayter, who is doing really great this season. It was tough to pass him but in the end I did it so I’m happy, furthermore since I’ve been working on my sprint recently because I didn’t have the best sensations in this area during the Spring. The coming stages suit me quite well so we’ll try to defend the jersey if possible, and hopefully I can hand it over to Primoz this week-end, but it’s a lot of hard stages coming, difficult to control.“
@ASO