asian in tour de france

Tour de France: the non-European winners, from LeMond to Bernal

The first time a non-European wore the yellow jersey of Tour de France leader was on the podium after the fifth stage of the 1981 edition in Saint-Lary-Soulan in the Pyrenees. The 23-year-old Australian Phil Anderson – who was born in London – wrote a page in the history books on the final climb of Pla d’Adet, finishing behind the legendary Bernard Hinault, 27 seconds after the winner, Lucien Van Impe, to become the new leader of the race. He lost the yellow jersey the following day. The next year Anderson won the long second stage to Nancy, and kept the leadership for nine days, finishing the Tour in sixth place and as the best young rider. He had blazed a new trail.

For almost 80 years, the Tour de France had remained a battleground reserved for European riders, since the first edition won by Maurice Garin – born in Italy and a naturalised Frenchman – and including the first ‘foreigner’, the Luxembourger (on his father’s side, although he was born in France) François Faber, whose victory came in 1909. But it was from the 1980s that the Tour became an increasingly international event, demonstrated once again in the last edition, won by Egan Bernal from Colombia.

Two years after Anderson’s long stay in yellow, a 23-year-old from Lakewood, California, became the first non-European rider to make the final podium of the Grande Boucle. The American Greg LeMond finished third, just 1’14” behind Bernard Hinault, and 11’46” behind his captain – and the tyrant of that edition – Laurent Fignon, who won five stages and doubled up on his win of the previous year.

LeMond became Hinault’s team-mate and finished the 1985 Tour de France just behind him, in second position. There were two other non-European protagonists the same year: the Colombian climbers Fabio Parra and Luis Herrera, who won one and two stages respectively. LeMond’s gradual development was completed in 1986 when he triumphed at the Tour ahead of his former captain, Hinault, who returned the favour of the previous year, helping his young team-mate. Greg went on to win the French race twice more, with an iconic 8-second advantage in 1989 and again in 1990.

The exciting 2011 Tour de France general classification battle started as early as the first stage with incredibly high calibre riders fighting it out on the tough 191.5km between Passage du Gois La Barre-de-Monts and Mont des Alouettes Les Herbiers. The winner was the Belgian Philippe Gilbert, but the second place went to one of the GC hunters, the Australian Cadel Evans.

The BMC Racing Team captain won the demanding fourth stage atop the steep Mûr-de-Bretagne. In the Alps, Luxembourg’s Schleck brothers started their show with Andy finishing first and Frank second on the Galibier, then claiming first and second positions in the general ranking the next day on the Alpe D'Huez stage won by Pierre Rolland – with just two stages remaining to Paris. Everything would be decided against the clock on the 42.5km circuit around Grenoble.

Cadel Evans put in an incredible performance, finishing just six seconds behind the specialist Tony Martin of Germany, and putting 2’31” into Andy Schleck, who lost the yellow jersey he had just won in the mountains. Evans became the first Tour de France winner from Oceania, after two second places in 2007 and 2008 behind the Spaniards Alberto Contador and Carlos Sastre.

The first South American winner is also the most recent champion: climber Egan Bernal from Bogotà, Colombia, who wrote another page of cycling’s history books, becoming the third youngest winner of the Tour ever. It was 112 years after the victory of Lucien Petit-Breton, who lived in Argentina from the ages of 6 to 20, that Bernal started his attack on the yellow jersey on the 18th stage won by his compatriot Nairo Quintana. Bernal gained 32 seconds on his rivals, including his Team Ineos colleague, the defending champion Geraint Thomas from Great Britain.

He assumed the general classification (GC) lead the following day, when the jury decided to stop the race due to dangerous conditions on the road, and take the times for the general classification at the summit of the Col de l'Iseran. He kept the yellow jersey until the end.

The Tour de France is still awaiting a winner from Asia. But victory in cycling’s biggest stage race for the world’s largest continent would close the circle of a story that began in the early editions when riders such as the pioneering Kisso Kawamuro from Japan competed as a ‘touriste-routier’ (without a team) but pulled out in 1926 and again in 1927.

There is already a rider born on African soil who has won the Tour and he is of course Chris Froome, with his first of four victories coming in 2013. Born in Nairobi, he switched from a Kenyan to a British licence in 2008, the year after his time as a trainee at the UCI World Cycling Centre in Aigle, Switzerland. The first African-born riders competing in the race were Raphaël Galiero, Emile Godard and Frédéric Vaillant in 1910. All three were from Algeria, but they had French nationality since at that moment the country was a department of France. It is therefore Ali Neffati from Tunisia who is recognised as the first African rider in the Tour de France, in 1913. Meanwhile, another former UCI World Cycling Centre trainee Daniel Teklehaimanot (Eritrea) made headlines in 2015 when he became the first Sub-Saharan African to wear the polka dot climber’s jersey in the Tour de France.

After South African Louis Meintjes’ 8th place in the GC in both 2016 and 2017, who will be the first rider born in Africa and with an African licence to win the Tour de France?

102 Years of Tour de France Globalization

This year is the 102nd edition of the Tour de France. What was once a predominantly French race—created to up the sales of the sports newspaper L’Auto —is now a global competition, with riders from 34 countries joining the race. Here’s a geographic look at every rider, every race .

By Xaquín G.V., Kelsey Nowakowski, Anna Scalamogna, and Joey Fening, NG staff; Art by Álvaro Valiño. Sources: Le Tour, Bill McGann of BikeRaceInfo.com

A French affair goes global

In 1903 the pack is mostly blue, white, and red: 72 of the 83 cyclists are French. In 2015 , it is a multicolor peloton: Only 31 of 167, around a fifth of the total participants, are French. This year’s Tour—and the two previous ones—has the most countries represented: 34.

The last French winner

Bernard Hinault wins his fifth Tour de France. After Lance Armstrong is stripped of his seven Tours, Hinault shares with Jacques Anquetil, Miguel Indurain, and Eddy Merckx the glory of most wins. France, with 36, is still the winningest country.

So long, commercial sponsorship

Fearing the Tour is being corrupted by sponsors, its organizer swaps the trade teams for national ones in 1930. Typically, Belgium, Spain, Germany, and France assemble teams, while others compete as touriste-routiers , or tourist riders—often French bike-shop owners hoping to get more business. The sponsored and national system goes back and forth until 1969, when the commercial team format is reestablished.

For each continent, a first

An African, Ali Neffati of Tunisia, becomes the first non-European to ride in the Tour in 1913 . The following year , two Australians join him in the race. The first Asian competes in 1926 , the first North American in 1937 , and the first South American in 1975 . 2014 is the first time a Chinese cyclist participates in the Tour.

But from every continent, a late first

It is not until 2001 that participants from every continent compete in the same edition, which will happen nine more times in future years.

Explore every rider, every race

This year is the 102st edition of the Tour de France. What was once a predominantly French race—created to up the sales of the sports newspaper L’Auto —is now a global competition, with riders from 34 countries joining the race. Here’s a look at the geographic makeup of the Tour’s peloton.

In 1903 the pack is mostly blue, white, and red: 72 of the 83 cyclists were French. it is a multicolor peloton: Only 31 of 167, around a fifth of the total participants, are French. This year’s Tour—and the tow previous ones—has the most countries represented: 34.

Bernard Hinault wins his fifth Tour de France. After Lance Armstrong was stripped of his seven Tours, Hinault shares with Jacques Anquetil, Miguel Indurain, and Eddy Merckx the glory of most wins—France, with 36, is still the winningest country.

Fearing the Tour is being corrupted by sponsors, its organizer swaps the trade teams for national ones. Typically, Belgium, Spain, Germany, and France assemble teams, while others compete as touriste-routiers , or tourist riders—often French bike-shop owners hoping to get more business. The sponsored and national system goes back and forth until 1969, when the commercial team format is reestablished.

An African, Ali Neffati of Tunisia, becomes the first non-European to ride in the Tour in 1913. The following year, two Australians join him in the race. The first Asian competes in 1926, the first North American in 1937, and the first South American in 1975. 2014 is the first time a Chinese cyclist participates in the Tour.

From every continent, a late first

Explore 102 years of tour de france data on your desktop at news.nationalgeographic.com ..

Singapore to host first Tour de France street race event in Southeast Asia

Advertisement.

SINGAPORE — Singapore will become the first Southeast Asian country to host a Tour de France criterium event this October.

The Tour de France Prudential Singapore Criterium will take place on a specially designed street circuit in the heart of the city on Oct 29 and Oct 30, said the organisers in a news release on Tuesday (June 28).

It will feature 32 riders from eight of the world’s best professional cycling teams, including decorated British cyclist Mark Cavendish, who holds the joint record for the most Tour de France stage wins (34).

In the Tour de France, elite cyclists compete in a gruelling test as they cover an average of 3,500 kilometres over three weeks in their quest for glory.

"In contrast, the Criterium is a shorter race on a closed circuit, which makes the format more suited to Singapore streets," the release stated.

"The Tour de France Prudential Singapore Criterium race weekend will comprise races for both professionals and amateurs and is expected to reach millions of viewers through a variety of international broadcasters."

Supported by life insurer Prudential Singapore as the event’s title sponsor, the event is being promoted by TEG Sport in conjunction with Evoke EXP.

Said Cavendish, who secured four Tour de France stage wins last year: "A first Tour de France road race in Southeast Asia and a first race for me in this part of the world.

"Cycling has given me so much and is a great part of my life. It’s a privilege for me to do what I love and I’m looking forward to getting out there and to share the adrenaline, excitement and fun that comes with criterium racing.”

On being part of the inaugural Singapore Criterium, Prudential Singapore’s CEO Dennis Tan said: “We decided to promote cycling because it is an accessible and sustainable sport.

"This sponsorship is a great opportunity to encourage people and families from all walks of life to bond while staying healthy and active.”

Singapore Tourism Board, which supports the event, said that the race reinforces Singapore’s position as a leading destination for sports in the region.

Said chief executive Keith Tan: "As we welcome more visitors to Singapore, it is also a timely addition to our exciting calendar of events.” CNA

For more reports like this, visit cna.asia .

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The Countries Dominating the Tour de France

The 2023 Tour de France stopped rolling yesterday, with Denmark's Jonas Vingegaard once again taking the prestigious lion on the Champs Elysees. At 26, Vingegaard, who also won last year, has given Denmark its third Tour victory.

As this infographic shows, French participants are the cyclists to have won the Tour de France the most times since its inception in 1903, with 36 overall victories. It is worth mentioning that, naturally, most of the participants were French during the first years of the competition.

Belgium, with 18 final victories occupies the second position in the ranking. Spain and Italy are the only other countries to register wins in the double figures. When it comes to individual cyclists , four are tied on the most general classification wins: two of which are French, one Spanish and one Belgian.

Description

This chart shows the Tour de France winners from 1903 to 2023, by cyclist nationality.

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Frequently asked question

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Ask us anything about our event, and get factual responses.

RACE REGISTRATION

How do i enter the 2024 l’étape melaka.

Registration for the 2024 L’Étape Melaka will be exclusively at melaka.letapebytourdefrance.com or via our official ticketing platform CHECKPOINT SPOT (www.checkpointspot.asia) from 15 December 2023 until 5 March 2024 . 

WHAT ARE THE CATEGORIES FOR THE 2024 L’ÉTAPE MELAKA?

The categories are as below: ELITE (140KM) - Individual Men

- Individual Women

- Men's Team (5 men)

- Women's Team (5 women)

Only those who sign up for Elite (140KM) race are eligible for podium finish. This applies for the individual and team categories. Team results will be based on the cumulative time of the best three riders.

THE RACE (140KM) - Individual Men

THE RIDE (70KM) - Individual Men

- Individual Women - Men's Team (5 men) - Women's Team (5 women)

CAN I REGISTER AS A TEAM FOR THE 2024 L’ÉTAPE MELAKA?

Absolutely! We have a team category at the 2024 L’Étape Melaka. Teams are made up of 5 riders only. The cumulative time of the first three riders will be the competitive measure of the team times. All members of the team must be registered for the same course.  

Prizes will only be given out to winners of the Elite (140KM) team categories if each category has a minimum of 3 registered teams participating. Please note that all team names are subject to approval.

WHAT IS THE MINIMUM AND MAXIMUM AGE REQUIREMENT?

While there is no cap on age limit to participate in the event, participants need to be at least 16 years old in 2024 to qualify for registration. Parental or guardian’s consent is required for participants below the age of 18 years old.

WHAT IS THE REGISTRATION FEE?

The registration fee for the 2024 L’Étape Melaka are as follows:

INDIVIDUAL CATEGORIES   

TEAM CATEGORIES   

*Team members pay the difference upon registration completion

HOW DO I REGISTER MY TEAM FOR THE 2024 L’ÉTAPE MELAKA?

During your registration process, you will be asked if you are registering as an individual or team. If you are registering as a team, the Team Captain should secure payment for the whole team. Upon successful registration, Team Captains are responsible for sharing their Registration ID with Team Members to start registering.

IS THERE A LIMIT ON NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS?

We are capping participation to 3,000 riders for the 2024 L’Étape Melaka. 60% of the allocation will be dedicated to the 140KM distance.

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE ENTRY FEE?

Upon registration, riders will be entitled to the following :

1. Official 2023 L’Étape Melaka Jersey *

3. Bike Plate

2. Finisher T-shirt **

3. Finisher Medal **

6. E-Certificate *

8. Snacks and Refreshment on route, during race day

9. Mechanical Support in the village and on the race course

For those participating in the Elite (140KM), mobile feed privileges will be accorded to them.

*Only for those who ordered the Race Jersey. **Only for those who finish the race within their respective stipulated time.

WHAT IF I HAVE CHANGED MY MIND OR CANNOT RIDE ON THE DAY, CAN I RECEIVE A REFUND?

We do not practice a refund in case a registered participant is unable to join us at the race. We may consider registration transfers to the next edition of L’Étape Malaysia by Tour de France only on medical grounds.

CAN I TRANSFER MY REGISTRATION TO A FRIEND?

A fee of RM20 will be charged for any transfer of registration. Any change must be made 2 months before race day. Strictly no transfer will be entertained past this deadline.

I MADE AN ERROR WHEN I REGISTERED, HOW CAN I FIX IT?

If you need to amend any errors in your registration, please contact the registration team at [email protected]

PREPARATION

What types of bikes are allowed at l’étape malaysia.

Riders are able to choose from a selection of bikes including road bikes, mountain bikes, city bikes, and cross bikes (recumbents, disc wheels, tri or aero bars are not permitted). Cyclists riding an e-bike won’t be ranked in a specific ranking to preserve fairness between participants. Straight handlebars and disc brakes are permitted. Tandems are only permitted for vision-impaired riders (only the vision-impaired riders will be required to register). Please ensure, for the safety of all riders, that bikes are well-maintained throughout the course.

IS A HELMET COMPULSORY?

Yes, it is compulsory to wear a helmet throughout the entire route. Any participant without a helmet will be removed from the event.

DO I NEED TO CARRY PHOTO IDENTIFICATION DURING L’ÉTAPE?

All riders must carry photo identification at all times.

WHAT SHOULD I BRING WITH ME ON RACE DAY?

There will be Snacks and Refreshment Zones to supply riders with nutrition, water, and other necessities. However, to ensure all riders are prepared, we suggest packing the below list of items: 

- Photo identification card *

- Water bottles *

- Additional food and/or sports nutrition

- Sunscreen & Sunglasses

- Spare clothing for warmth or rain protection

- Bike repair kit including: a puncture repair kit, spare inner tubes, and an air pump

- Mobile phone (don’t forget to ensure it is fully charged prior to the start) 

Items marked with * are compulsory.

IS THERE MECHANICAL SUPPORT AVAILABLE FOR MY BIKE BEFORE THE EVENT?

The day before the event, mechanical support will be available in the Festival Village for riders to check their bike, if needed – available on a first come, first served basis. The mechanical support will also be available throughout the race – both on the course and at selected Snacks and Refreshment Zones.

WHAT ARE THE EXPECTED WEATHER CONDITIONS FOR THE RIDE?

According to monthly averages, the peaks are likely to range from a minimum temp of 22°C to a maximum of 30°C in December. Riders will need to be prepared for all weather conditions on the day. Riders are encouraged to consult the Malaysian Meteorological Department at www.met.gov.my for forecasts in the area prior to the event.

WHAT HAPPENS TO THE EVENT IN CASE OF INCLEMENT WEATHER?

The race will commence in the event of light rain.

In case of a thunderstorm making a race dangerous, we will delay the race by 30 mins. If heavy rain persists, we will cancel the event as we have to factor in the need to reopen public roads. Rides can collect their finisher entitlements if this happens.

We might not continue with the race if lightning is detected within 2KM of the race start. Riders are advised to seek shelter along the route if such a situation occurs midway during the race.

Race organisers could at any point of time on race day, in consultation with the authorities and ASO, have the final say as to whether a race could proceed.

WILL THERE BE A SAFETY AND EVENT BRIEFING?

A race e-guide covering details pertaining to the race, including safety instructions will be produced before the race. These will be sent to all registered racers and participants are advised to familiarise themselves with the e-guide prior to arriving at Melaka.

We also plan to produce short instructional videos prior to the race.

START & FINISH

Is the course timed.

Yes, all courses are timed. All riders will be given a race plate for their bike in their registration pack, which the timing system is embedded in this plate and it must be attached on the bicycle frame at all times. This will record the time of the rider as they cross the start line, checkpoints throughout the route, and the finish line to provide accurate time. 

For team timings, the best 3 timing will be used to determine placement. 

Failure to attach the race plate will result in no timing available for the ride and immediate disqualification from the race.

Final times will be published on the L’Étape Malaysia by Tour de France's website following the event.

IS THE ROAD CLOSED TO TRAFFIC DURING THE EVENT?

Similar to the professional rides in Tour de France, roads will be closed to general motor vehicle traffic throughout the entire event. The time limit is set to ensure the road opens again at a specific time and this is outlined in the Time Schedule, which will be released closer to the event. After this time, the road will reopen to the public once again.

WHAT IS THE CUT OFF TIME?

The Cut Off Time helps plan the time at which the road is closed, when riders will be eliminated and when the roads reopen to the public. These times are negotiated with L’Étape Malaysia, the councils, the police and the emergency services. Strict compliance with the Time Schedule is essential if we want to continue to enjoy a road which is entirely closed to public traffic in the future.

The entire route will be closed to all non-event related vehicles. Roads will re-open progressively on a time schedule which allows riders who ride at an average of 15 km per hour to complete the route.

The Time Schedule will be published on L'Etape Malaysia by Tour de France's Instagram and Facebook page.

HOW WILL I KNOW IF I AM ELIMINATED?

The Race Car will follow the precise Cut Off time for the course. Any participant who is overtaken by this vehicle (which features a timer on its roof) at any point during the race, will be declared “Hors-Course” (out of the race).

WHAT IS THE CUT-OFF TIME?

The cut-off times are as below:

• The Race (140km) - 8 hours • The Ride (70km) - 5 hours

WHAT HAPPENS IF I AM ELIMINATED?

If a rider is eliminated, they will be asked to go to the pick-up areas where a bus and truck If a rider is eliminated, they will be asked to go to the pick-up areas where a bus and truck will take the rider and their bike to the Festival Village.

Bikes will be loaded onto trucks and returned to riders to the Village upon presentation of their race numbers.

For L’Étape Melaka, the cut off time will be strictly adhered to. Riders will not be allowed to remain on course after the cut off time including if they do not reach the halfway mark by half the cut off time from the start of the race.

ARE THERE RULES THAT STILL NEED TO BE FOLLOWED ON CLOSED ROADS?

Even with the professional conditions of fully closed roads, it is important to remain alert and respect the following: 1.  Keep to the left of the road so the faster riders and race management vehicles can 

     overtake on the right

2.   When overtaking, do it on the right and with caution

3.   Indicate prior to overtaking

4.   When riding in the peloton, indicate to riders following of any dangers or imperfections 

      on the route

Please note that in an amateur race, the competency level of riders can differ greatly. Please be aware of your general surroundings and seek help if you need any assistance. Your race bib will have our emergency numbers and safety marshals are available throughout the course

ARE THERE SNACKS AND REFRESHMENT ZONES ON THE ROUTE?

There will be Snacks and Refreshment Zones on the course. Water is available at all Snacks and Refreshments via self-serve tanks with taps.

Riders are expected to stop to replenish themselves. Due to the size of the field, our volunteers are unable to cater to individual needs.

WHERE ARE THE SNACK ZONES LOCATED?

Snacks and Refreshment Zone locations will be released, together with the e-guide, before the event.

WHERE AM I ABLE TO DISPOSE OF TRASH?

All Snacks and Refreshment Zones will have bins to dispose of trash. If consuming gels or snacks while on the road, riders must ensure that they hold on to associated rubbish until they are able to dispose of this correctly. Let's maintain Melaka as a pristine area for all to enjoy.

WHAT HAPPENS IF MY BIKE BREAKS DOWN OR HAVE AN ACCIDENT ON THE COURSE?

If a rider has an accident or mechanical issue, there will be medical teams and mechanical support at selected Snacks and Refreshment Zones, as well as along the route (mobile assistance). In addition to the support offered, each rider should bring spare inner tubes, air pump and any extra components that they may need with them. Riders will be provided with an emergency number to call for roadside pick-up if they are unable to make their own way to a Snacks and Refreshment Zone following an accident or a breakdown. In the event of riders waiting for roadside pick-up – with the exception of major injuries – riders are asked to move off the course and out of the way of other riders to wait for pick up.

WILL THERE BE MEDICAL ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE ON THE COURSE?

There are first aid stations set up in the Festival Village, at the Start Line, at selected Snacks and Refreshment Zones, and at the Finish Line. There will also be medical teams among the riders on the route, in case riders need medical attention or transportation to a nearby first aid station.

HOW DO I GET MY RACE PACK?

All Race Packs will be sent via delivery, please follow the instructions during the registration process.  

HOW DO I GET TO THE START LINE?

We recommend you arrive 45 minutes to 1 hour before your start time. The first start will be given at 7.15am on Sunday, 5 May 2024.

HOW WILL MY START POSITION BE DETERMINED?

Podium finish is only available for the Elite (140KM) category. Those wishing to race competitively must register in the Elite (140KM). Those outside Elite (140KM) are not entitled for a podium finish but their race time will be made available to them.

For those outside Elite (140KM), they can choose to join any waves they wish, on a first come first served basis.

WILL THERE BE A BAG DROP-OFF AT THE FESTIVAL VILLAGE?

There is a bag drop-off at the Festival Village. We advise all riders to pack light, and only bring essential items for the race.

WILL THERE BE PRIZES FOR L’ÉTAPE MELAKA?

Individual Elite (140KM) participants will be competing for the coveted official Tour de France Jerseys

• THE YELLOW JERSEY will be presented to the overall male and female winners of The Race.

• THE GREEN JERSEY will be presented to the male and female The Race winners of the Sprint.

• THE WHITE JERSEY will be presented to the fastest overall male and female in The Race, aged 25   

  years or less, on the day of the event. 

Team Elite (140KM) riders will not win the individual winner’s jerseys. However, team riders are eligible to compete for individual overall placements. Only trophies awarded for the following participants:

• The Men’s Team Prize

• The Women’s Team Prize

WHEN WILL MY RESULTS BE PUBLISHED?

Unofficial results will be listed at the end of event day. Official results will be published on the L’Étape Malaysia by Tour de France website as they come available during the day.

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Follow our news, recent searches, vingegaard needs to be 100% recovered for tour, says team boss, advertisement.

FILE PHOTO: Cycling - Tour de France - Stage 21 - Saint-Quentin-En-Yvelines to Paris Champs-Elysees - France - July 23, 2023 Team Jumbo–Visma's Jonas Vingegaard lifts his bike as he celebrates winning the Tour de France Pool via REUTERS/Marco Bertorello/File Photo

Tour de France champion Jonas Vingegaard is recovering well from a punctured lung and broken collarbone but must be 100 per cent fit to take part in this year's race, insists his Visma-Lease a Bike team manager.

The Danish rider, winner of the last two editions of the Tour de France, has not raced since being involved in a high-speed crash in the Itzulia Basque Country last month.

Vingegaard was seen training in Mallorca this week, but his team manager Richard Plugge is making no predictions about whether he will be ready for the Grand Depart in Florence in just over a month's time.

"He is doing well, he's progressing really well," Plugge was quoted as saying by Cyclingnews. "But we need to make a decision later on if he is really able to be 100 per cent at the start of the Tour de France. We need to see how it evolves in the coming weeks.

"We have good hopes, he is progressing well. But we also want to give him and ourselves the time to make a good decision.

"He's the defending champion but if he goes, he should be 100 per cent. The Tour de France is not a race where you can go in with less and hope. Hope is never a good start, so we need to be sure he can be 100 per cent."

Vingegaard was originally scheduled to prepare for the Tour at the Criterium du Dauphine, but Plugge now says he is unlikely to race before the Tour.

"Maybe we will add a race, but I think we will get more from training because it's the best and most controlled way of working after such a crash," he said.

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Critérium du Dauphiné Live - Evenepoel and Roglic return to racing on opening hilly stage

The final GC standings of the 2023 Tour de France

Jonas Vingegaard claims his second consecutive title

Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo Visma) crossed the line safely on the final stage of the 2023 Tour de France, celebrating his second overall victory in a row well behind the peloton with his teammates.

Because of rain, officials called the time for general classification with one lap to go on the Champs Élysées, and the final gaps in the standings remained the same after stage 21 .

Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) was more active in the proceedings, going on the attack then leading out the sprint and then celebrating second overall at 7:29. He was also the race's best young rider.

Adam Yates gave the team two on the podium in third place overall at 10:56, claiming his first Grand Tour podium.

His identical twin brother Simon Yates (Jayco-AlUla) finished the race in fourth at 12:23.

Carlos Rodriguez (Ineos Grenadiers) finished the race despite his heavy crash on the penultimate stage to land in fifth at 13:17.

There were no changes for sixth to eighth place, in order,  Pello Bilbao (Bahrain Victorious) at 13:27, Jai Hindley (Bora-Hansgrohe) at 14:44 and second on stage 20, Felix Gall (AG2R Citroën) at 16:09.

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Rounding out the top 10 are Groupama-FDJ’s  David Gaudu (ninth at 23:08) and Cofidis’ Guillaume Martin (10th at 26:30).

American Sepp Kuss (jumbo Visma) who was involved in the same crash as Rodriguez, finished in 12th overall.

Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck) lost the stage to Jordi Meeus (Bora-Hansgrohe) but could be consoled with a dominant performance in the Tour's green jersey competition.

Giulio Ciccone (Lidl-Trek) took the last points on offer, while Victor Campenaerts (Lotto Dstny) was awarded the most combative rider prize.

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The Tour de France classifications

Here's a rundown of all the ongoing competitions at the Tour de France. Click here for a more comprehensive explainer , including minor competitions such as the intermediate sprints prize and the fighting spirit prize. Speaking of prizes, click here to find out how much the riders can win during the Tour de France .

Yellow Jersey/Maillot Jaune – The yellow jersey is worn by the overall race leader on the general classification who has completed the stages so far in the lowest accumulated time.

Green Jersey – The green jersey is the points classification. Riders accrue points at one of the two intermediate sprints during stages and also at stage finishes, and the man with the most points leads the ranking.

Polka Dot Jersey – The red and white polka dot jersey is the mountain classification. Points are handed out to the first riders over certain hills and climbs during the Tour de France, with the hardest mountains giving the most points. Once again, the man with the most points leads the ranking.

White jersey – The white jersey is the best young rider classification. It works the same way as the yellow jersey, but only riders aged 25 or under are eligible to win.

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Laura Weislo has been with Cyclingnews since 2006 after making a switch from a career in science. As Managing Editor, she coordinates coverage for North American events and global news. As former elite-level road racer who dabbled in cyclo-cross and track, Laura has a passion for all three disciplines. When not working she likes to go camping and explore lesser traveled roads, paths and gravel tracks. Laura specialises in covering doping, anti-doping, UCI governance and performing data analysis.

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Countdown to the 2024 Critérium du Dauphiné: Excitement Mounts in Saint-Pourçain-sur-Sioule

The eight-day mini-Tour de France begins this Sunday with a 174.8 km stage and features top contenders, diverse stages, and the iconic Yellow Leader’s Jersey.

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Like many European bike races, the Critérium du Dauphiné (we just call it “the Dauphiné”) was originally created to promote a local newspaper, the Dauphiné Libéré, a provincial newspaper that covers the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of south-central France—the area that the race calls its home. In fact, the race was actually called the “Dauphiné Libéré” until 2010, at which point it was taken over by the Amaury Sport Organisation (A.S.O.), the organizers of the Tour de France .

The race highlights one of the most beautiful regions in France, an area that includes the Alps, Mont Ventoux, and the Massif Central. This gives the organizers lots of options when it comes to building a challenging course, and they often create stages that mirror those in the upcoming Tour de France. This is one of the main reasons why it’s a popular dress rehearsal for General Classification riders hoping to be at their best for the French grand tour.

And it’s not uncommon for riders to win the Critérium du Dauphiné and then the Tour de France six weeks later. Denmark’s Jonas Vingegaard-Hansen did it last year with Jumbo-Visma. Team Sky made winning both races a habit in the 2010s, with Britons Chris Froome winning both events in 2013, 2015, and 2016, and Geraint Thomas winning the Dauphiné-Tour combo in 2018.

It’s also a race that has traditionally favored Americans. Five riders from the United States have won the prestigious event in its 75-year history, and we wouldn’t be surprised if America makes it six by the time the race wraps up on the Plateau des Glières next Sunday.

Here’s everything you need to know about the 2024 Critérium du Dauphiné, one of the most exciting and important week-long stage races of the season:

How to Watch Critérium du Dauphiné in the U.S.

How to watch critérium du dauphiné in canada, how to watch critérium du dauphiné in europe, what happened last year, riders to watch, the 2024 route.

This year’s Dauphiné covers 1203.8 km (746 mi) spread over eight stages. The race begins Sunday with Stage 1, a jagged road stage around Saint-Pourçain-sur-Sioule that–despite three categorized climbs early in the stage–should end with a field sprint.

But Monday’s Stage 2, a 142-kilometer road stage that begins in Gannat, definitely won’t. That stage contains four categorized climbs, including two Category 2 ascents on the way to an uphill finish on the Col de la Loge. This could be an early day for the Dauphiné’s General Classification contenders to try and take the yellow leader’s jersey. If they don’t, the stage will certainly go to a breakaway filled with puncheurs .

Stage 3 continues this year’s punchy trend with a hilly route filled with five categorized climbs. The 181.2-kilometer stage begins in Celles-sur-Durolle and ends with an uphill finish on the Category 3 climb to Les Estables, a 3.8km climb with an average gradient of 5.2 percent.

Wednesday brings Stage 4, a 34.4-kilometer individual time trial from Saint-Germain-Laval to Neulise. This should cause the first real shuffling of the General Classification of the race, with men like Primož Roglič (BORA-hansgrohe) and Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-Quick Step) among the favorites to win the stage and take the yellow jersey.

Thursday’s Stage 5 is the longest stage of the Dauphiné, a 200.2-kilometer ride from Amplepuis to Saint-Priest. Even with four categorized climbs spread throughout the stage. This should be the last chance for the sprinters–unless a breakaway ruins their plans.

And then come the mountains, starting with Friday’s Stage 6, a 173.2-kilometer stage that starts in Hauterives and ends with a summit finish on the hors categorie (“Beyond Category”) Collet d’Allevard, an 11.1km climb with an average gradient of 8.1-percent.

Starting in Albertville, Stage 7 is even harder, with four Category 1 ascents and then a summit finish on the hors categorie climb to the Samoëns 1600 ski resort–all crammed into just 145.5 km. The climb to Samoëns 1600 is a beast: 10 km long, the climb averages 9.3 percent–and even that’s a bit misleading thanks to the opening kilometer’s 3.3 percent average gradient. With over 4,200m of elevation gain, this is the hardest stage in this year’s Dauphiné.

But just in case the race hasn’t been decided yet, Stage 8 ends the week with a bang. Beginning in the town of Thônes–near the base of the Category 1 Col de la Forclaz de Montmin–the 152.5km stage takes the riders over three categorized climbs before yet another summit finish, this time on the Category 1 Plateau des Glières. This is another short, intense stage that should provide an exciting conclusion to the 2024 Critérium du Dauphiné.

NBC’s Peacock ($5.99/month or $59.99/year) streams all events organized by A.S.O., which means you can watch the Dauphiné in June and then the Tour de France in July. If you’re looking for ad-free coverage, you’ll need a subscription to Peacock Premium Plus , which runs $11.99 per month or $119.99 for the year.

The Peacock app is available on Roku, Apple devices, Android and AndroidTV devices, Google platforms, Chromecast, Xbox consoles, PlayStation 4 and 5 consoles, VIZIO SmartCast TVs, and LG Smart TVs. You can also watch online via the Peacock website.

If you’re in Canada, FloBikes ($29.99/month CDN) is the best way to watch the Critérium du Dauphiné with all eight stages available live and on-demand on FloBikes.com , the FloSports IOS app, and the FloSports app for Amazon FireTV, Roku, and Apple TV.

If you have cable and prefer conventional television viewing, each stage of the Dauphiné will be shown on CNBC. This year, the network looks set to show replays, as–according to NBC’s website–Stage 1 is scheduled to air at 1:00 p.m. EDT, a few hours after the stage is expected to end.

The Critérium du Dauphiné will be broadcast in the United Kingdom and around Europe on Discovery+ , which carries Eurosport ’s live coverage. The Basic plan is priced at £3.99 per month or £39.99 annually in the UK (7-day free trial included), and it can be integrated into your Amazon Prime Video account.

As it did the year before (sorta), the 2023 Critérium du Dauphiné served as a bit of a crystal ball heading into the Tour de France, with Denmark’s Jonas Vingegaard and Jumbo-Visma dominating the race from start to finish. In all, the Dutch super-team won four stages, with France’s Christophe Laporte winning Stages 1 and 3 (and the green jersey as the winner of the Points Classification) and Vingegaard winning Stages 5 and 7 on his way to winning the race overall. The Dane won his second consecutive Tour de France six weeks later.

Great Britain’s Adam Yates (UAE Team Emirates) finished second–he went on to finish third at the Tour de France–and Australia’s Ben O’Connor (AG2R Citroën Team) finished third. Spain’s Carlos Rodriguez won the white jersey as the Dauphiné’s Best Young Rider, and Italy’s Giulio Ciccone (Trek-Segafredo) won the polka dot jersey as the Dauphiné’s King of the Mountains.

Primož Roglič (BORA-hansgrohe)

Roglič won the Critérium du Dauphiné in 2022 and is once again using the French WorldTour stage race as a dress rehearsal for the Tour de France. The Slovenian was one of the victims of the horrible crash in April’s Itzulia Basque Country –the same crash that took down Vingegaard, who won’t be participating in this year’s Dauphiné due to his injuries (he’s at a training camp instead).

Roglič abandoned the Basque race immediately–despite being the race leader at the time–but he was among the less injured of the riders who went down. So, while he was forced to skip the Ardennes Classics, he remained largely on track for the Tour.

The Dauphiné will be his last stop before heading to the Grand Depart in Florence, and his performance here will go a long way toward determining whether or not he has a realistic chance of winning his first Tour de France. And his BORA-hansgrohe team is stacked, with basically all the riders we expect to support the Slovenian at the Tour joining him at the start, including Australia’s Jai Hindley, who won a stage and spent a day in the yellow jersey in last year’s Tour de France–and won the 2022 Giro d’Italia .

Remco Evenepoel (Soudal–Quick-Step)

Evenepoel was another victim of the Basque crash that took down Vingegaard and Roglič–the Belgian broke his right clavicle and scapula. That wiped out the rest of his spring program, but now he’s healed and back on his bike–and reports say that his training is going well. Like most competitors, the Dauphiné will be the Belgian’s last test before the Tour. He’s likely targeting the time trial–he’s the reigning world champion in the discipline–but we’re more eager to see how he fares against the other contenders on the summit finishes at the end of Stages 6, 7, and 8. We’re also curious to see how his team–which has traditionally been built more for one-day classics–handles itself against proven stage race squads like BORA, Visma, and INEOS.

Carlos Rodríguez (INEOS Grenadiers)

Rodríguez finished ninth overall and won the white jersey as the Best Young Rider in last year’s Dauphiné, an impressive ride that perhaps should have been more hyped (blame jumbo-Visma’s dominance for that). But his performance turned out to be a sneak preview of what the Spaniard would do at the Tour, where he finished fifth overall and won a stage in the mountains.

Just 23 years old, Rodríguez has continued to improve throughout the spring: he finished second at Itzulia Basque Country and then won the Tour de Romandie, his first WorldTour stage race victory. Assuming he’s saving his best for the Tour, we’re expecting another top-10–possibly top-5–finish at the Dauphiné, which would make him a true podium contender in July.

Sepp Kuss (Visma–Lease a Bike)

With Vingegaard uncertain about riding the Tour de France following his crash, Kuss might end up being Visma’s GC captain, a stunning turn of events for a rider who spent much of last season as a support rider–at least until he took a surprise win at the Vuelta a España in September.

The American has had a quiet season so far, racing just a handful of times and spending the majority of his time at training camps. In fact, the Dauphiné will be the first time raced since the Itzulia Basque Country in early April. His performance will give us at least a hint as to whether or not he has the legs to be a true podium contender at the Tour.

Juan Ayuso (UAE Team Emirates)

Ayuso joins Rodríguez at the forefront of a new generation of young, Spanish grand tour contenders. Just 21 years old, he already has two top-5 finishes at the Vuelta a España , including a third-place finish in 2022. Like Rodríguez, he seems to get better with every race he enters–he took second at Tirreno-Adriatico and fifth at the Tour of Romandie. And like Rodríguez, the Spaniard also won his first WorldTour stage this spring–the Tour of the Basque Country. And while he’s heading to the Tour to support Slovenia’s Tadej Pogačar , we’re expecting him to be racing for himself at the Dauphiné–which could be bad news for the race’s other contenders.

Matteo Jorgenson (Visma–Lease a Bike)

If an American does win this year’s Critérium du Dauphiné, don’t be surprised if it’s Jorgenson, a 24-year-old who was born in Walnut Creek, California but grew up in Boise, Idaho. After spending the first few seasons of his WorldTour career with Movistar, Jorgenson transferred to Visma-Lease a Bike this past off-season and has since taken a major step forward, winning his first WorldTour stage race–Paris-Nice-and his first major one-day Classic–Dwars door Vlaanderen.

His last event was the Amstel Gold Race in mid-April, and he’s spent the past six weeks training for the Tour de France. And with Kuss likely biding his time for the Tour de France, there’s a good chance that he’ll be given the chance to try and win the Dauphiné before taking on more of a supporting role at the Tour. Visma has only scratched the surface of Jorgenson's potential, and this could be the race in which he takes another big step forward in his development as a rider.

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Pogacar wins the Giro d’Italia by a big margin and will now aim for a 3rd Tour de France title

Tour of Italy winner Slovenia’s Tadej Pogacar holds the trophy during the podium ceremony at the end of the 21st and last stage of the Giro D’Italia, cycling race, in Rome, Sunday, May 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Slovenia’s Tadej Pogacar, wearing the pink jersey overall leader, crosses the finish line of the 21st and last stage of the Giro D’Italia, tour of Italy cycling race, in Rome, Sunday, May 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Cyclists are cheered by fans as they ride past the ancient Colosseum during the final stage of the Giro d’Italia cycling race in Rome, Sunday, May 26, 2024. (Gian Mattia D’Alberto/LaPresse via AP)

Slovenia’s Tadej Pogacar, wearing the pink jersey overall leader, flashes the victory sign after crossing the finish line of the 21st and last stage of the Giro D’Italia, tour of Italy cycling race, in Rome, Sunday, May 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Cyclists, including the pink jersey overall leader Slovenia’s Tadej Pogacar, ride past the ancient Colosseum during the final stage of the Giro d’Italia cycling race in Rome, Sunday, May 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

From left, second classified Colombia’s Daniel Felipe Martinez, first classified Slovenia’s Tadej Pogacar and third classified Britain’s Geraint Thomas celebrate during the podium ceremony at the end of the 21st and last stage of the Giro D’Italia, tour of Italy cycling race, in Rome, Sunday, May 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Third classified Britain’s Geraint Thomas celebrates during the podium ceremony at the end of the 21st and last stage of the Giro D’Italia, tour of Italy cycling race, in Rome, Sunday, May 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Slovenia’s Tadej Pogacar, wearing the pink jersey of the race overall leader, is lifted in celebration by teammates ahead of the start of the final stage of the Giro d’Italia cycling race, in front of the Palazzo della Civilta’ Italiana, also known as Colosseo Quadrato (Square Colosseum) in Rome, Sunday, May 26, 2024. (Marco Alpozzi/LaPresse via AP)

Belgium’s Tim Merlier celebrates winning the final stage of the Giro d’Italia cycling race in Rome, Sunday, May 26, 2024. (Gian Mattia D’Alberto/LaPresse via AP)

Cyclists ride past the ancient Colosseum during the final stage of the Giro d’Italia cycling race in Rome, Sunday, May 26, 2024. (Massimo Paolone/LaPresse via AP)

Slovenia’s Tadej Pogacar, 2nd right, wearing the pink jersey of the race overall leader, poses as he waits for the start of the final stage of the Giro d’Italia cycling race, in front of the Palazzo della Civilta’ Italiana, also known as Colosseo Quadrato (Square Colosseum) in Rome, Sunday, May 26, 2024. (Marco Alpozzi/LaPresse via AP)

Cyclists ride past the ancient Colosseum during the final stage of the Giro d’Italia cycling race in Rome, Sunday, May 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Cyclists ride past the Unknown Soldier monument during the final stage of the Giro d’Italia cycling race, in Rome, Sunday, May 26, 2024. (Fabio Ferrari/LaPresse via AP)

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ROME (AP) — Tadej Pogacar won the Giro d’Italia on Sunday with the race’s biggest margin of victory in nearly six decades — earning a third Grand Tour trophy to go with his two Tour de France titles.

Pogacar, riding a pink bike to go with his pink jersey, shorts and helmet, crossed safely in the main pack to conclude the mostly ceremonial final stage of the three-week race in Rome, ending with an advantage of 9 minutes, 56 seconds over runner-up Daniel Martinez.

Geraint Thomas finished third overall, 10:24 behind.

The last time there was a bigger margin of victory in the Giro came in 1965, when Vittorio Adorni won by 11:26.

Pogacar, a Slovenian with UAE Team Emirates, also won six stages in the race, the most since Eddy Merckx also won six in 1973.

“Winning any bike race is important but winning the Giro, especially like this, is really incredible,” Pogacar said.

Now Pogacar will attempt to rest and recover in time to make an attempt at winning his third Tour title, with cycling’s biggest race starting on June 29 with four stages in Italy.

Pogacar will be attempting to become the first rider to win the Giro and the Tour in the same year since Marco Pantani in 1998.

“This was the big goal for the first part of the season. Now finally I’ll have a bit of rest before the second part, which could be the more important part,” Pogacar said. “We’ll see.”

Belgian rider Tim Merlier won the final stage in a sprint ahead of Jonathan Milan by the Colosseum. It was Merlier’s fourth career win at the Giro and third this year.

Milan, the Italian sprinter who also won three stages in the race, had a mechanical issue and needed to change his bike at the start of the last lap. He then managed to catch up with the main pack and almost grabbed another victory.

The 125-kilometer (78-mile) mostly flat final stage finished with a circuit through the center of the capital that was completed eight times, taking riders past the Baths of Caracalla, the Roman Forum, the Tiber River and the Circus Maximus before the finish on cobblestones near the Arch of Constantine.

Pogacar entered the Giro for the first time this year and made an immediate impact. He finished second in the opening stage in Turin and gained time on almost all of his direct rivals. Then he won the second stage, grabbed the leader’s pink jersey and kept on increasing his advantage day after day.

Pogacar won the Tour in 2020 and 2021 and then finished second behind Jonas Vingegaard in 2022 and 2023.

Vingegaard is hoping to defend his Tour title despite a crash in April that left him with several broken ribs and a collapsed lung.

AP cycling: https://apnews.com/hub/cycling

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‘We Will See about the Legs’: Remco Evenepoel Returns to Racing at Tour de France Test

With first tour de france on the horizon, belgian superstar claims he’s putting no pressure on himself in dauphiné: 'day by day.'.

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The stakes are high for Remco Evenepoel .

He’s been out of competition since his horrific crash in the Itzulia Basque Country, and is set to start his first Tour de France in less than four weeks.

In that light, a strong performance in the Critérium du Dauphiné seems important for the world TT champion, yet he insists this isn’t the case.

“Honestly, I’ve no targets this week, just get into the race rhythm again,” the Belgian superstar told a number of journalists in an online press conference on Saturday.

“See where the shape is at for the moment, but no specific targets in terms of results or expectations.”

A degree of skepticism about this can be understood. After all, Evenepoel is one of the most talented and ambitious riders in the peloton, and seems as addicted to winning as the other big champions in the sport.

He’s known for his aggressive approach to racing and his hunger for success.

Yet when asked about his thoughts about the Dauphiné course, his answer suggests that he is being truthful in saying that a result in the race is not a necessity.

“I didn’t look at the route at all,” he said. “I only know that this fourth stage is a time trial and the last days are going to be hard but I didn’t check out the specific routes, to be honest. So that’s, I think a good example of with what expectations I’m at the start.”

Instead he said his Soudal Quick-Step team will look to other riders to shine.

“It will be day by day,” he said. “We have two guys in a good shape here with Ilan [Van Wilder] and [Mikel] Landa, and if I have the chance, I will try to support them as much as possible. But for myself, there is no big expectations.

“Just get into the rhythm again and try to get out of this race in a better shape than I will get into it. Then it will be a successful week for me.”

There is one caveat: even if a big result is not something he feels is necessary, nor indeed a high result on individual stages, he does say the time trial will be a significant test in one regard.

“I think it’s going to be an important one to see how the pressure on the shoulder feels,” he explained. “To see if I can handle the pressure for a long time.

“So it will be a lot of position work. And I think it’s going to be a good test to see how the shoulder reacts to force the muscles to get really narrow in the shoulder.

“It’s going to be a good step in … I’m not gonna call it rehab anymore, but a next step into my upcoming shape, my growing shape towards the Tour.”

He’s more curious than pressurized about how the Dauphiné will go.

“It’s going to be a good test. We will see about the legs and the results. But I think my feelings day by day will be the most important [thing] for this week, and not necessarily the results.”

A big crash, a deliberately slow return to racing

Evenepoel was one of a number of riders who crashed heavily in a descent on stage 4 of Itzulia Basque Country on April 4.

The other fallers included fellow Tour contenders Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) and Primož Roglič (Bora-Hansgrohe).

It was a huge story, and one which cast question marks over each rider’s participation in the Tour de France.

Evenepoel suffered a fractured right shoulder blade and scapula in the crash, and hasn’t competed in two months.

Does he have any lingering issues, either in terms of descending fear or injuries?

“I think first days in Sierra Nevada, I was still a bit of … let’s say stiff descending,” he said. “Not feeling super comfortable on the bike. But I think every day it got better and better. And I think I’m gone [absent] of the scared feelings, so that’s good.

“The injuries are still a bit uncomfortable sometimes. The scapula is still a bit strange sometimes, especially on a TT bike. There’s a lot of pressure coming on to my shoulder. So there it’s a bit strange. But I think it should be good enough to race and also good enough to take risks again.

“So yeah, we will see day by day. But of course, if my body wouldn’t have been good enough to race, I would not have been at the start. So my body is good enough to race. But the shape will be another story, probably.”

He’s been back on the bike for quite some time, doing 100 km on the road just three weeks after suffering his fractures.

Working on the way back, in the lab. pic.twitter.com/O6eMp9A16Z — Remco Evenepoel (@EvenepoelRemco) April 22, 2024

That’s an incredibly quick return, and makes it all the more usual that he has waited so long to get back to racing. So what was the reason for the delay?

“Honestly maybe the injuries weren’t the biggest ones with the collarbone and the scapula, but I have to say that the impact of the crash at a high speed and quite a long slide over the grass had quite a big impact on my body,” he explained.

“Also the surgery, it was the first time under the narcos [under general anasthetic – ed.]. So for me, it was quite a big impact overall, let’s say. And just my shoulder, my muscles, everything was quite damaged.

“I have to say that I really needed the time because I think the day I started outside is really the first day that I felt ready for it.”

His schedule was informed in part by a bigger crash he had in 2020, when he suffered a fractured pelvis. He was off the bike for six months as a result, returning to training in February 2021, yet lined out in the Giro d’Italia that May.

It was his first race of the season and he rode strongly, sitting seventh overall in the final week before crashing and then withdrawing.

“I think with the experience of my Lombardia crash in the past where we rushed things maybe a bit too much, I wanted to calm things down and really never skip any step of the stairway, let’s say,” he continued. “So just really day by day, step by step.

“And I think it was a good decision to do it that way. Because in the end, still the main goal of the season is the Tour de France and it only starts in in a small month. And it ends in only seven weeks.

“There’s still a long way till the end of the Tour. So that’s why we didn’t rush anything with the bigger goal in mind, always paying attention to not getting in extreme fatigue or rush myself too much.”

As a result he acknowledges he will not be as sharp as he might otherwise be for the Dauphiné. That too is an indication that expectations should be dampened.

“Maybe it was not the best approach to get into this race,” he said, once again considering the bigger picture rather than short-term ambitions.

“But of course, I think and I hope it will be the best approach to go to the Tour.”

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