Victorious for a second day in a row, Slovenian Primoz Roglic (BORA-hansgrohe) increased his lead at the top of the provisional ranking of the Critérium du Dauphiné. His runner-up Remco Evenepoel (Soudal – Quick Step) was unable to stay with the leading group on the final climb of the 155-kilometer course on Saturday between Albertville and the Savoyard resort of Samoëns 1600.
The disappointment of Evenepoel, now sixth, benefited the Canadian Derek Gee (Israel – Premier Tech), fifth (2 seconds) on Saturday and now third overall, 1 minute 13 seconds behind Roglic and 11 seconds behind Matteo Jorgenson (Visma – Lease a Bike), second.
“He makes a great Dauphiné! He stays tomorrow and we remain focused, but today (Saturday), he showed once again that he has the level! Tomorrow, it will definitely be the same scenario. We hope that he will be able to consolidate his place, so we are mobilizing the team around him,” said his teammate Hugo Houle, in an interview with Sportcom, 90th to cross the line 27 minutes behind the Slovenian.
The former track rider confirmed these comments on his training’s social media.
“The guys were amazing! They looked after me all day to put me in the best possible position and I’m proud to have stayed with the leading group,” Gee maintained.
Alone in the lead for almost 50 kilometers, Marc Soler (UAE Team Emirates) saw his lead of 4 minutes 15 seconds at the start of the last climb melt like snow in the sun. While the Spaniard rolled his shoulders and his pedal stroke was slower, behind, the undermining work of Alexander Vlasov, Rogic’s teammate, made all the difference in catching the fugitive 2 kilometers from the line
Vlasov’s work also dealt a heavy blow to Remco Evenepoel, second overall at the start of the stage. The former world road champion was dropped from the group of favorites a little over 6 kilometers from the summit and the sports director of Israel – Premier Tech informed Derek Gee in the headset that the door to the final podium Sunday had just opened up for him if he remained with the group in the yellow and blue jersey.
Houle mainly played his role as a teammate in the first half of the race.
“I especially controlled the start where I put a lot of energy into making sure there were no dangerous escapes. Then I stayed with the guys almost until the penultimate climb where I was left behind at the top. Afterwards, there were still four teammates with him. It’s a good day for us, the team is doing well and everyone is motivated. The vibe is positive! »
A final stage awaits the runners on Sunday: 160 kilometers, starting in Thones and arriving at the summit at the Plateau des Glières.
Guillaume Boivin at the head of the race
Meanwhile, in Belgium, at the one-day race Through the Hageland (1 ·Pro), in Belgium, Guillaume Boivin (Israel – Premier Tech) was the 13th to cross the finish line, 35 seconds behind of the winner, the Belgian Gianni Vermeersch (Alpecin-Deceuninck).
The former Canadian champion was part of the leading group and even animated the race with a solo breakaway with around 35 kilometers to then be caught by the group.