Picture 1 of 12
Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma) sealed the general title on the Critérium du Dauphiné as Giulio Ciccone (Trek-Segafredo) received the ultimate stage above Grenoble.
Ciccone attacked from the breakaway on the penultimate climb of Col de Porte earlier than soloing down into Grenoble after which keeping off Vingegaard on the ultra-steep last climb as much as the Bastille Fortress that overlooks town.
Vingegaard himself responded to efforts from Adam Yates (UAE Staff Emirates) on the ultimate two climbs earlier than easing clear within the last kilometre in one other disarming show of dominance. As he rode away from an already-small GC group, it regarded like he would possibly catch Ciccone to seal his total title with a 3rd stage win.
However Ciccone held agency on the double-digit gradients, dropping his sun shades which might be often tossed to the group each time he wins, however nonetheless celebrating in fashion as he bounced again from having to overlook the Giro d’Italia via COVID-19.
“I had 10 days off the bike, my situation wasn’t 100% so began right here with the Tour de France within the head however noticed this week my situation getting higher and higher, so I am actually comfortable to shut this week with a victory,” Ciccone mentioned.
“The final 500 metres have been actually lengthy, however with all of the folks there, it was very nice. I regarded behind and noticed I used to be nonetheless in entrance with some hole, so I simply went straight. I am actually comfortable.”
Ciccone made it into a robust breakaway after a chaotic begin to a 152.8km last stage that featured six climbs, with a hilly opening, a mid-stage lull, after which a trio of main ascents forward of the descent into Grenoble and the kick up the Bastille.
Julian Alaphilippe (Soudal-QuickStep), seventh total initially of the day, was the hazard man within the unique nine-man transfer, whereas Vingegaard positioned a teammate there in Tiesj Benoot, and it was these two, together with Ciccone and Clément Champoussin (Arkéa-Samsic) who have been left because the front-runners because the break exploded on the hors-catégorie Col du Granier (9.6km at 8.6%).
They rode collectively over the Col du Coucheron (7.7km at 6.2%) with a slim benefit over the Jumbo-led bunch earlier than Ciccone let rip and went solo on the Col de Porte (7.4km at 6.8%). He prolonged his result in virtually minute on the 15km descent however after which refused to fade on the ultimate 1800-metre climb that averaged an eye-watering 14.2%.
Vingegaard could not fairly make up sufficient floor to disclaim the Italian however he nonetheless handed his GC rivals one other sound beating. UAE Staff Emirates shredded the bunch on the Col de Porte and Vingegaard marked a gap assault from Yates there earlier than Rafal Majka returned on the descent to bust the 15-man GC group open once more on the ultimate climb.
However earlier than Yates might do something there, Vingegaard took management and eased clear with a seated acceleration. He closed to inside 30 seconds however needed to accept second place on the day, with Yates crossing the road in third place 10 seconds later to seal second total.
Ben O’Connor (AG2R Citroën Staff) completed fourth, an extra 16 seconds again, to fend off Jai Hindley (Bora-Hansgrohe) and clinch the ultimate spot on the rostrum.
With Yates at 2:23 and O’Connor at 2:56, Vingegaard claimed the third WorldTour stage race crown of his profession – after the Tour de France and Itzulia Basque Nation – with the largest profitable margin on the Dauphiné in 20 years.
“It s very very massive for me to win this race. It is certainly one of largest races on the earth, so I am very comfortable to win,” mentioned Vingegaard
“Yeah in some type of means I am stunned [by the winning margin]. I knew I used to be in fine condition however yeah. Now I loosen up for a number of days then begin getting ready the final bit for the Tour de France. I nonetheless have a bit of bit of labor to do however not rather a lot.”
Extra to observe
Outcomes powered by FirstCycling
