2023-06-04 16:53:00
Christophe Laporte (Jumbo-Visma) took the first stage in the Dauphiné to his will. The Belgian early breakaway Rune Herregodts (Intermarché-Circus-Wanty) seemed to hold his ground, but was caught by the Frenchman on the line. He eventually finished third.
The 75th edition of the Critérium du Dauphiné kicked off with a big loop through Chambon-sur-Lac. 158 kilometers, with five short, but treacherous kinks in it, would determine the final scenario of this first stage. On paper, this seemed like the punchers’ right hand. Or did the sprinters hold their own?
The organizer gave the starting shot, after which five attackers took to the hare. The peloton let go and the early breakaway was a fact. With three Belgians in the leading roles: Brent van Moer (Lotto-Dstny), Rune Herregodts (Intermarché-Circus-Wanty) and Fabio Van den Bossche (Alpecin-Deceuninck).
With 80 kilometers to go, the heavens opened. The roads became increasingly slippery, after which some riders in the peloton kissed the asphalt. Ethan Hayter (INEOS-Grenadiers) went down not once, but twice on the slippery road surface. The second fall was too much, after which the 24-year-old Briton gave up.
On the first passage of the Côte du Rocher de l’Aigle (1.8 km at 5.2%), it went too fast for Grondin and Van den Bossche and the two dropped out. Soudal-Quick.Step put the tendon on in the peloton at the same kink. The pounding took its toll: Groenewegen, Hofstetter and Bennet released the roles.
Brent van Moer won his only professional victory in the opening stage of the Dauphiné 2021. The Belgian was able to redo his trick from two years ago, but that other Belgian formation, namely Quick.Step, had other plans.
Rune Herregodts pushed hard to stay in front, dropping one last bomb on the decisive climb. Dorian Godon (AG2R), the winner of the Brabantse Pijl, had had enough and dropped out. Herregodts then set off alone, looking for his fourth professional victory.
Eurosport Netherlands
@Eurosport_NL
Herregodts again gathered fifteen seconds and seemed to be on his way to victory with a solo. In the last straight line he saw the peloton show up in his wake. Christophe Laporte passed the Belgian just before the line and won the first stage. Matteo Trentin (Team UAE) came in second, the brave Herregodts eventually finished third.
Laporte appears tomorrow in the leader’s yellow jersey with this victory.
Intermarché-Circus-Wanty
@IntermarcheCW
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