2023-06-08 17:23:53
Vingegaard ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT / AFP
The Dane hit hard this Thursday on the Dauphiné by winning the 5th stage.
And to think that he didn’t even want to attack! Jonas Vingegaard stunned the Critérium du Dauphiné even before entering the Alps by winning the 5th stage alone on Thursday at Salins-les-Bains. With three stages still to go, including the last two in the high mountains, the Dane cemented his status as a huge favorite by winning 31 seconds ahead of a group in which the main leaders, except David Gaudu.
With this 9th success of the year, the winner of the last Tour de France, new yellow jersey, is now 1 min 23 ahead of Julian Alaphilippe, second overall and in the stage after having settled the chasing group in the sprint . And he didn’t even do it on purpose. “I didn’t want to attack today, just defend my position. But Richard (Carapaz) left so I followed himSaid the Jumbo-Visma rider before paying, on the verge of tears, a moving tribute to the victims of the Annecy attack.
Alaphilippe under the spell
«I am very happy with my performance. But on a day like today, with what happened in Annecy, cycling doesn’t really matter. My thoughts go out to all the families“, underlined the young dad. After a first attack from Richard Carapaz briefly followed by Alaphilippe, the Dane took off about fifteen kilometers from the finish, on the difficult Côte de Thésy (3.6 km at 8.8%) to mark his territory at three weeks from the start of the Tour de France. “He was unplayable, a notch above in the climb, he was not + followable +“, applauded Alaphilippe, himself rather happy with his day. “I have no regrets. Once I jumped off the wheel of Carapaz, I managed my ascent well“said the former double world champion.
Gaudu released
Another French leader, David Gaudu, on the other hand, has lost ground again. Already struggling the day before in the time trial, the Groupama-FDJ climber did not, unlike his young teammate Lenny Martinez, manage to keep in touch with the group of main pursuers.
The Breton is now 25th at 3 min 22 sec from the yellow jersey. What cause a little concern in view of the Tour de France where he is aiming for a place on the podium, even if we preferred to put things into perspective within his team. “We did a very big internship and I think we are tired. We are in transition times, we are here to work“Insisted his teammate Valentin Madouas.
Big step to come on Friday
For Vingegaard, on the other hand, all the lights are green, as the Dane will defend his crown in July against Tadej Pogacar, who is currently training in the Sierra Nevada after his left wrist fracture at the end of April. “We already saw during yesterday’s time trial that he was in good shape. It sure is a good sign“Commented his teammate Christophe Laporte.
Second in the Dauphiné last year, Vingegaard will have the opportunity to establish his domination this weekend during two very difficult alpine stages. The peloton will begin to attack the mountain on Friday with an arrival in the small ski resort of Crest-Voland, at 1,218 meters above sea level, after three ascents in the final, including the Col des Aravis.
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