Vingegaard second in final stage of Criterium du Dauphiné

Vingegaard second in final stage of Criterium du Dauphiné

Jonas Vingegaard has finished second in the eighth and final stage of the Dauphiné. The young Dane was able to join an early breakaway, but came up short to avert the attack by later stage winner Padun.

The final mountain stage from La Léchère-Les-Bains to Les Gets began with a climb of the fourth category. This is where a group of eighteen riders managed to gain an early lead on the peloton. Vingegaard was in the breakaway and the group was given the space to gain five minutes.

With 80 kilometres to go, the pace in the peloton increased. The gap to the front group decreased and thirty kilometres before the finish the Ukrainian Padun attacker for the day’s victory. Vingegaard could not follow and had to let go. The Dane was able to maintain his lead on the peloton and finished second. Steven Kruijswijk tried to escape from the peloton with 20 kilometres to go. He was 40 seconds behind, but could not make the jump to the leaders.

"Jonas showed again that he is on the right track."

Grischa Niermann

Sports director Niermann: “We made a good attempt for the stage win. Padun proved to be too strong and we had to settle for second place. A great result for Jonas. Unfortunately Sepp had an off-day today. On the Joux Plane he felt bad and had to let go. Initially we had the idea to let Steven open for Sepp, but Sepp was not good enough. Steven attacked in a controlled way. Jonas showed again that he is on the right track. We went here with him without high expectations. After a few bad days he rode a nice time trial the day before yesterday and today he finished second. This week was partly about building up to the Tour. There is still work to do, but we are on the right track.”

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