The day after a massive crash disrupted the proceedings, the Critérium du Dauphiné resumed with an intense battle during the sixth stage between Hauterives and Le Collet d'Allevard. Slovenian cyclist Primoz Roglic, representing Bora-Hansgrohe, clinched both the stage victory and the overall lead. His performance was pivotal in the eleven-kilometer climb, where he outpaced Belgian rider Remco Evenepoel of Soudal-Quick Step, who struggled during the final kilometers.
Primoz Roglic, aided by his Russian teammate Alexandr Vlasov, created a decisive gap just 1.5 km from the finish line. Despite Evenepoel's efforts to minimize losses, Roglic emerged victorious, with Italian cyclist Giulio Ciccone of Lidl-Trek and teammate Vlasov trailing him. Roglic's lead extends to a 42-second advantage, including a 10-second bonus, over Evenepoel, relegating him to eighth position in the stage.
The day's intense activity began with an early breakaway involving six riders, notably French cyclists Romain Grégoire (Groupama-FDJ) and Thibault Guernalec (Arkéa-B&B Hotels). Despite their efforts, the peloton reeled them in during the ascent of Collet d'Allevard. Grégoire attempted to maintain momentum until the last five kilometers but was eventually caught.
Thirty kilometers from the finish, the breakaway riders made a crucial mistake, veering off course and losing distance. Luckily, this error did not significantly impact the race's outcome. The upcoming mountain stage on Saturday covers 155.3 km between Albertville and Samoëns 1600, culminating at an altitude of 1,634 meters in a non-category pass.
The previous day's stage was marred by a massive crash on the descent of the côte de Bel-Air, involving approximately fifty riders. The wet road conditions and sudden braking led to a chain reaction, causing many cyclists to fall. The disaster resulted in the complete neutralization of the stage.
Among those affected were race leaders Remco Evenepoel and Primoz Roglic, as well as Spanish cyclists Mikel Landa and Juan Ayuso. Evenepoel, injured but resilient, managed to join the neutralized phase despite concerns about his shoulder, previously injured in the Basque Country. The incident left many competitors bruised and some, like Steven Kruijswijk and Dylan Van Baarle, requiring ambulance evacuation.
The race organizers awarded the combativeness prize to Mathis Le Berre and Tobias Bayer, the only two cyclists who kept a half-minute lead over the peloton before the crash.
As the event progresses, riders like Evenepoel and Roglic continue to push forward, illustrating the relentless spirit and determination characteristic of professional cycling.
- Primoz Roglic's victory adds significant momentum to his team's prospects, with Alexandr Vlasov's support proving indispensable in the mountainous terrain.
- The sequence of falls highlights the inherent risks in competitive cycling, particularly in adverse weather conditions. The incident emphasized the importance of safety protocols and the resiliency of professional cyclists.
- Remco Evenepoel's comments on the crash underline the delicate balance of skill, luck, and strategy in navigating race course hazards.
- The upcoming stages promise more excitement as the riders face challenging ascents and strategic battles, setting the stage for a thrilling conclusion.
