Author of a more than honorable time, Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-DECEUNINCK) has stacked places of honor since the start of Dauphiné criterium. In the top 5 of the first three days, the Dutch runner signed this Wednesday a sixth place on this 4th stage, 1 minute and 2 seconds from the winner Remco Evenepoel (Sudal Quick-Step). The person concerned did not have the general classification as objective: “I knew that guys like Remco Evenepoel and the other favorites were going to resume a lot of time today, so the yellow jersey was not a goal”he says. “I asked Evenepoel a few weeks ago if he thought I could finish within a minute of him. It was tight (1'02 ''), but I still have work to do!”
VIDEO – The reaction of Remco Evenepoel after its victory
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One last opportunity
“I am really happy with my performance today, especially after spending so much energy yesterday in the breakaway. During recognition and warm-up, I felt fatigue in my legs, but I was motivated to give everything in this time trial”he explained.
The winner of Paris-Roubaix is only 14 seconds from the yellow jersey. However, the valued and mountainous profiles of the upcoming steps seem to correspond less. Mathieu van der Poel is in legs but he may have been allowing his chances of victory to this Dauphiné criterium. His last possibility should be the next step between Saint-Priest and Mâcon, this Thursday, June 12.
