Mathieu van der Poel will have been one of the great animators of this Dauphiné criteriumfrom which he comes out with five top 10 (including two podium) and a more than reassuring form three weeks before Tour de Franceand this despite the lack of victory. Once again on the attack this Sunday on an 8th and last mountainous stage, however, far from being its favorite hunting ground, the Dutchman almost gave us a solo raid of which he has the secret, but usually rather on the classics of spring. Released from the breakaway to nearly 60 terminals of the goal, the former world champion led the race for more than 40 km, counting more than a minute in advance before returning the best climbers. Wearer of the green jersey all the week, he was finally dispossessed on the wire by the Gluton Tadej Pogacar3rd on the line and which wins this annex ranking equal points (79 each) with the runner ofAlpecin-DECEUNINCK.
VIDEO – MVDP gave way to Tadej Pogacar …
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“Of course, it would have been good to win a stage and the green jersey, but …”
But what does it matter in the end, the essentials were elsewhere to MVDPwhich has shown a rarely so good form at this time of the year and very reassuring only three weeks by his double fall in mountain biking and his wrist injury. What to approach the Tour de France With ambition when the first week seems to go like a glove. “”I am really very happy with my week. Of course, it would have been good to win a stage and the green jersey, but I think that overall, I can be very satisfied with the way I spent the week. It was a very difficult week, and it was exactly what I needed for the Tour, so I'm satisfied.”
He who had imposed himself on the Large loop From the 2nd stage of his first participation in 2021 has not lifted his arms since … a 60 stages long without triumph on the Tour. An anomaly for one of the fantastic, but that it is very likely to repair in July if it keeps or even improves this state of form. “”Hopefully, but of course, around is something else. The first week will be chaotic, so I hope we can already win a stage. Admittedly, the difficulty, but it is no longer a problem, I think. I will need a few days of recovery, then I can train hard for the Tour de France. I think I needed a race like this, a stage race where I am on the limit every day. I think it will help me be at the best of my form“, He said as a conclusion.
