Rune Herregodts (Intermarché-Circus-Wanty) got here so near claiming a surprising victory on stage 1 of the Criterium du Dauphine the place he was caught within the ultimate 10 meters by the hard-charging peloton.
The Belgian was the final remaining rider of the five-rider breakaway that shaped early after a quick begin of the 158km stage round Chambon-sur-Lac. After his break companions sat up, Herregodts crested solo the Côte du Rocher de l’Aigle, the 1km climb at 6.1% on the third and ultimate ending loop.
“I knew that this stage had an opportunity for the break, usually within the Dauphine there are a variety of possibilities and definitely with this course. So we bought away with a robust group however we didn’t get a variety of benefit. We needed to actually begin hammering already the primary lap right here. One after the other, my fellow breakaway companions dropped however everyone that’s 100 per cent is finest, in order that’s they solely approach you will get to the end,” Herregodts advised Biking Professional Internet on the end line.
“On the finish, it was simply the purpose to make the steeper climb, to perhaps get to the highest after which I believed perhaps I may dash in a diminished group.”
Hoping to repeat his victory at stage 1 of the 2022 Ruta del Sol the place he held off a charging area, Herregodts refused to surrender. He dove down the descent to the end line, taking dangers on the hunt for glory. The hole was 15 seconds with 15 kilometres to go.
“With 10 seconds within the final 2 kilometres, I knew I simply needed to go full. When you understand you’ve achieved one thing improper, you could be actually disillusioned, however I gave all the things, in order that’s life, that’s biking. I took my likelihood and it was simply not sufficient. Perhaps the peloton underestimated me and that makes it much more of a missed alternative. As soon as they know you, it will get more durable and more durable,” Herregodts stated in a separate interview.
However the peloton led by the 2022 Tour de France winner Jonas Vingegaard and his Jumbo-Visma doubled all the way down to barely ship Christophe Laporte to victory.
The 24-year outdated rider was so near the win that he held on to complete third, surrounded by one of the best sprinters from the peloton, and claimed one of the best younger rider jersey.
“The white jersey and third place, it’s good, however that’s not what I hoped for within the final kilometre! While you say that Jumbo-Visma sacrificed the entire group, it’s a badge of honour however I’d have most well-liked Jonas Vingegaard to say: ‘I am a GC rider, I don’t pull’! They’re too good of a group.”
