Critérium du Dauphiné

Remco Evenepoel put in another strong ride at his final stage race before the Tour de France, on the tough climb of Plateau des Glières, which brought down the curtain over the 76th edition. The Belgian Champion, who prevailed in the individual time trial held a couple of days ago – his most important victory in the discipline since conquering the rainbow jersey last August – came home just a couple of seconds behind yellow jersey and race winner Primoz Roglic (Bora-hansgrohe), confirming his upward trajectory on the climbs.

“I can be content with the week I had. I did a good effort and I continuously improved my form, which is good for the upcoming Tour de France. I climbed with the best at times and I also took a beautiful stage victory, which together with my seventh place in the final standings in what has been a really hard race makes for a strong week.”

“Now I will take a couple of days to recover, and afterwards I am traveling to Isola 2000 for an altitude training camp together with the team. I am really looking forward to that. I will also do a recon of some of the mountain stages, but the main goal will be to improve my shape. I leave the Dauphiné with a lot of confidence and desire to work even more so I can be in a good form at the start of the Tour”, Remco explained.

Evenepoel was joined in the upper echelon of the general classification by Soudal Quick-Step teammate Mikel Landa. The 34-year-old Basque, who also returned to competition here after two months, clinched his best result in five starts at the Dauphiné (10th) and his 11th top ten overall in a major one-week race.

Photo credit: ©Dario Belingheri / Getty Images