Critérium du Dauphiné

A short stage was on the menu Monday afternoon, as the peloton continued its journey towards the Alps, where this year’s big battles are expected to take place. The day came with plenty of climbing and summit finish on Col de la Loge, an ascent averaging around 5%, which the peloton started one minute behind the last survivor of the breakaway, Bruno Armiral (Decathlon-AG2R).

Remco Evenepoel had Soudal Quick-Step teammates Mikel Landa and Ilan Van Wilder for company during the entire ascent, remaining well positioned the entire time as the group ramped up the pace in order to reel in the Frenchman before the line. The catch was made with 200 meters to go as Magnus Cort (Uno X-Mobility) emerged from the thick fog and took the win, while the Belgian Champion rolled over the line together with the rest of the general classification contenders.

The Critérium du Dauphiné continues Tuesday with another hilly stage finishing atop Les Estables, a 3.8km climb averaging 4.8% lying in the Haute-Loire department, where the gaps should once again be minimal.

Photo credit: ©Dario Belingheri / Getty Images