Critérium du Dauphiné (st. 6)

Colombian inside main group of favourites at tough eight-climb course, under initial pouring rain and final wind gusts; Alaphilippe (DQT) wins tight sprint against breakaway companion Mühlberger (BOH).

The longest stage (229km) of the 2019 Critérium du Dauphiné rewarded the efforts of those who gambled on the early breakaway for success. A trio with Alessandro De Marchi (CCC), Gregor Mühlberger (BOH) and Julian Alaphilippe (DQT) reached the final climb with a big advantage to play its cards for the victory, the Frenchman and the Austrian together at a sprint which required a photo-finish to declare the winner. Rubén Fernández was close to joining that group, before the Murcia native stopped his effort to remain by Nairo Quintana’s side together with the rest of the Blues.

It was a rainy, windy first mountainous test towards the Alps, which didn’t hamper Quintana‘s progression rather than confirming his good feelings en route to a very challenging weekend ahead. The Telefónica-backed squad’s leader crossed the finish line with the main GC contenders, and now sits in 9th place overall. Saturday’s action will be a 133km trek with three Cat-1 climbs before the final Montée de Pipay (HC), 19km at 6.9%, where the Cóndor will seek for a good opportunity to show his real legs and improve his GC result.

All pictures (c): BettiniPhoto