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Thursday, June 6, 2024

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2023 Tour de France | 2024 Giro d'Italia

Politics: A strife of interests masquerading as a contest of principles. The conduct of public affairs for private advantage. - Ambrose Bierce

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Plato's dialogue Apology is available in both Kindle eBook & audiobook versions. To get your copy, just click on the Amazon link on the right.

Current racing:

• June 2 - 9: Critérium du Dauphiné
• June 5 - 9: ZLM Tour

Upcoming racing:

• June 7: GP Canton Aargau
• June 9 - 16: Tour de Suisse
• June 12 - 16: Baloise Belgium Tour
• June 15 - 18: La Route d'Occitanie Cancelled because security forces busy with Olympics
• June 21 - 26: Many National Championships
• July 1 - 23: Tour de France
• July 27 - August 11: Olympic cycling

Latest completed racing:

• June 2: Brussels Cycling Classic
• May 29: Circuit Franco-Belge
• May 4 - 26: Giro d'Italia
• May 23 - 26: Tour of Norway
• May 26: Rund um Köln
• May 14 - 19: 4 Days of Dunkirk
• May 18: Veenendaal - Veenendaal Classic
• May 11: Tour du Finistère
• May 5: Tro-Bro Léon
• May 4: GP du Morbihan
• May 1: Rund um den Finanzplatz Eschborn-Frankfurt

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Critérium du Dauphiné stage four reports

We posted the report from the race organizer with the results.

Here's the report from stage winner and new GC leader Remco Evenepoel's Team Soudal Quick-Step:

Remco Evenepoel produced one of his finest rides of his career in an individual time trial Wednesday afternoon, blasting to a huge victory that moved him into the Critérium du Dauphiné yellow jersey with four days remaining at the French race.

Stage four of the race, running between Saint-Germain-Laval to Neulise, was the longest test against the clock at the Dauphiné since 2011 – 34.4 rolling kilometers that culminated a 500m climb averaging 5% coming just before the finish. As expected, the ITT completely reshuffled the general classification and made for some significant gaps between the favourites ahead of the weekend’s three mountain stages.

Remco Evenepoel riding to a stage win. Sirotti photo

As soon as he left the start ramp, Remco went in his now trademark “aero bullet” position and set the fastest time at the first intermediate checkpoint. The World ITT Champion, who showcased his new Specialized Shiv bike on the roads of the Loire department, continued to put in a monster ride and to produce the same remarkable speed even on the uphill drag to the line, stopping the clock in 41:49 after averaging 49.35km/h.

“I am very happy and proud. This time trial was a good test after two months and the victory is a big confidence-boost and a good sign towards the Tour de France, which is just three weeks away. I want to thank everyone who supported me, my family and my team, who were always by my side. A big thank you also to Specialized, who presented me with a new helmet and new bike for this race. This gave me some extra power. It was a nice present and showed their extraordinary commitment to providing the best material, for which I am grateful.”

“I don’t know what this victory means for the general classification and I don’t think it speaks about my shape for a good overall result. All I can say is that I am delighted to wear the beautiful yellow jersey of the Dauphiné, which together with the win makes for a successful week already. I was focused on my ride and on getting a good result today, and I will continue to take it day by day and see what I can do in the three hard stages we will spend in the mountains, where a lot of things can still happen”, said Remco after donning the 67th leader’s jersey of his career.

Here's the report from second-place Josh Tarling's Team INEOS Grenadiers:

Josh Tarling secured an excellent second place at the Critérium du Dauphiné among strong competition on his return to the TT bike.

The young Welshman was one of the first riders down the start ramp, and quickly set some blistering times through the intermediate time checks. He would catch all of the competitors to start ahead of him, and go into the hot seat with a time of 42’06".

Josh Tarling riding to second-place. Sirotti photo

The time would stand for much of the day, before Remco Evenepoel (Soudal - Quickstep) became Tarling’s most obvious competitor. The Belgian would go through the first time check two seconds up on Josh, but it was Tarling who would lead through the second check, by under a second. Up to the line and Evenepoel would pip Josh to the line to secure the stage win.

It was another pair of assured performances from Carlos Rodriguez and Laurens De Plus, who placed 11th and 15th respectively, resulting in 10th and 13th overall. The race continues tomorrow with a rolling stage to Saint-Priest.

Here's the Dauphiné report from third-place Primoz Roglic's Team Bora-hansgrohe:

Halfway through the Critérium du Dauphiné, a long individual time trial was on the agenda - the first test for the favourites in the overall standings. On a very undulating 34.4 kilometres, the battle for the best time was on. Primož Roglič completed the course in 42:28 minutes, 39 seconds behind the day's winner Remco Evenepoel, who also took the yellow jersey. As two days ago, Primož Roglič is once again in second place in the GC. He will start tomorrow's stage in the green jersey of the points leader.

Primoz Roglic riding to GC second-place. Sirotti photo

Aleks Vlasov and Matteo Sobrero in 13th and 14th place and Jai Hindley in 20th place rounded off the good result for the day. BORA – hansgrohe thus leads the team classification in the dress rehearsal for the Tour de France.

After the sprinters will be looking for their chances tomorrow, a hat-trick of mountain top finishes is scheduled for Friday and the weekend. The climbers will get their chance on three days in a row.

And here's the report from GC third-place Mateo Jorgenson's Team Visma | Lease a Bike:

Matteo Jorgenson advanced to third place in the general classification in the Critérium du Dauphiné. The American of Team Visma | Lease a Bike rode a great time trial, in which he finished fourth. The stage win was for Remco Evenepoel.

Dylan van Baarle was the first rider to start the 34 kilometer time trial on behalf of Team Visma | Lease a Bike: “It's a pretty long and tricky time trial. In the beginning it is possible to develop a good pace, but in the second part the road is mainly uphill. It comes down to the climber's legs there. I expect the differences to be significant today. This course should definitely suit Matteo."

Here's Jorgenson's teammate Dylan Van Baarle riding to an 84th -place finish. Sirotti photo

Strengthened by his teammate's knowledge, Jorgenson started his time trial later. The American rode a solid race against the clock. At intermediate point one, the American recorded the sixth fastest time. Jorgenson appeared to have paced his time trial well, because at both point two and the finish line, the 24-year-old rider moved up one spot in the standings. With fourth place in the day's results, he climbed to third place in the overall standings.

“I tried my best and gave it my all,” Jorgenson said shortly after his time trial. "Along the way I tried not to look at my power meter too much, but just give it my all. It was grueling, but I think I can be satisfied with my performance. I divided the time trial into several parts for myself. First a flat section, then a section with a little more turns, and then uphill to the finish. Especially in the last part, I was at my limit. I feel fine. The shape is good, even after a good training camp. The final weekend of this Dauphiné will be very tough. It will be grueling no matter what, but I will fight for every meter with the team."

Sports director Frans Maassen: “Matteo finished a very good time trial. He managed to get the maximum out of it. The competition was once again very strong. For example, Remco Evenepoel and Primoz Roglic showed they were on target. However, the toughest part of this Dauphiné is yet to come. The last three stages will decide the race. We're really looking forward to that as a team. We are going to do everything we can to be as good as we can be then,” Maassen said.

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