It was a Danish day on the stage 4 time trial on the Critérium du Dauphiné as Mikel Bjerg (UAE Group Emirates) claimed the stage victory and the yellow jersey, whereas Tour de France champion Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma) laid the foundations for the general title.
Vingegaard appeared on the right track for the stage win and yellow as he set the quickest time on the first intermediate checkpoint, however he light within the grinding last third of the 31.1km course and needed to accept second place on the day.
Remi Cavagna (Soudal-QuickStep) was one other rider to fade after a quick begin, and he was bumped right down to the ultimate podium spot after spending a giant chunk of time within the hotseat.
The 31.1km course from Cours to Belmont-de-la-Loire was roughly divided into three, with an uphill begin and longer downhill part to the primary checkpoint at kilometre-10.7, then a flatter 9km mid-section, and at last the 11.4km false flat grind that wound as much as gradients of 6% within the house straight.
Whereas Vingegaard and Cavagna each reached the end on fumes, Bjerg paced his effort to perfection. He was some 20 seconds down on Vingegaard’s benchmark on the first checkpoint, then drew stage with each his compatriot and Cavagna by the second, and roared out in entrance on the important thing uphill a part of the course.
