Only a handful of seconds separate the Belgian from the top three overall.
Another hilly affair awaited at the French race Tuesday afternoon, when the bunch tackled five classified climbs and almost 3000 vertical meters. Many were hoping at the start that it would be a day for the breakaway, and for that reason the speed was crazy high in the first hour of the stage, during which the bunch averaged 48km/h.
Eventually, the bunch got fed up with chasing each move and gave green light to a three-man group, who ended up carving out a margin which turned out not to be enough for them to make it. The trio were reeled on the final ascent, Les Estables, where the Soudal Quick-Step boys took the front to set a steady rhythm and make sure Remco Evenepoel was protected and in a good position at all times.
Just like on the previous stage, the victory came after a late attack, this time Derek Gee (Israel-Premier Tech) being the one who came out on top. Evenepoel couldn’t get in the mix for a good result due to a flat, but concluded with the peloton and will now go into the Neulise 34.4km individual time trial just a couple of seconds from the overall podium of the Dauphiné.
Photo credit: ©Dario Belingheri / Getty Images
Remco Evenepoel 