2020 Critérium du Dauphiné – Stage 4 – Highlights, Report, Results
Report
No fewer than six tough categorised climbs dotted today’s Queen Stage of the Critérium du Dauphiné. The climbing started straightaway on the 153.5km route with a mix of first, second, third and Hors Catégorie climbs – the toughest being the Montée de Bisanne – while the finale would take place on the second category ascent into Megève.
Bridging to an early break, Lennard Kämna joined the escapees, forming a group of fifteen that could have proved pivotal further up the road when the GC riders started making their moves. However, disaster struck on the descent of the Côte de Plan Bois after 29km when Emanuel Buchmann and Gregor Mühlberger went down and were forced to abandon the race, while Andreas Schillinger also withdrew from the race shortly afterwards.
In spite of the upsets further back the road, the escape pushed on, with Lennard riding well, and while the break would stretch out and occasionally splinter, it would keep coming back together.
The Montée de Bisanne was the real test and the young German stayed in the lead group, helping maintain their 2:45 advantage over the peloton. Dropping in number to eight but staying strong, having climbed and descended the day’s Hors Catégorie climb, the lead was still sitting at 2:40 with only the 13km final climb to go.
Coming closer to the summit, with 4.7km remaining, Lennard went on the attack and none of the other riders could meet his surge in pace. Passing under the Flamme Rouge with 1km to go, he already knew the day’s outcome, taking an incredible victory with the 23-year-old punching the air as he crossed the line to take his first ever professional win. Emu and Gregor were taken to hospital for further examinations.
“I’m so happy with this victory, my first ever professional win and to celebrate it here at the Dauphiné is such a big thing for me. I’m so glad about it! Today’s strategy was actually for me to be a relay station for Emu, the plan was for him to attack in the penultimate climb but. unfortunately, he crashed, so I went for it. It’s a bittersweet day… I hope all the best for Gregor and Emu and that he’s back in form for the Tour de France. I’ll enjoy this moment now, give my best tomorrow again and then look ahead at the rest of the season, most probably the German Championships and the Tour de France.” – Lennard Kämna
Results
Stage
| 1 | Lennard Kämna (Ger) Bora-Hansgrohe | 4:27:56 |
| 2 | David De la Cruz (Spa) UAE Team Emirates | 0:00:41 |
| 3 | Julian Alaphilippe (Fra) Deceuninck-Quickstep | 0:00:56 |
| 4 | Jack Haig (Aus) Mitchelton-Scott | 0:00:58 |
| 5 | Kenny Elissonde (Fra) Trek-Segafredo | 0:01:02 |
| 6 | Fausto Masnada (Ita) CCC Team | 0:01:10 |
| 7 | Michal Kwiatkowski (Pol) Team Ineos | 0:01:19 |
| 8 | Marc Hirschi (Swi) Team Sunweb | 0:01:43 |
| 9 | Thibaut Pinot (Fra) Groupama-FDJ | 0:03:01 |
| 10 | Primoz Roglic (Slo) Team Jumbo-Visma |
General Classification
| 1 | Primoz Roglic (Slo) Team Jumbo-Visma | 17:45:32 |
| 2 | Thibaut Pinot (Fra) Groupama-FDJ | 0:00:14 |
| 3 | Guillaume Martin (Fra) Cofidis | 0:00:24 |
| 4 | Mikel Landa Meana (Spa) Bahrain McLaren | 0:00:26 |
| 5 | Daniel Martinez (Col) EF Pro Cycling | |
| 6 | Miguel Angel Lopez (Col) Astana Pro Team | 0:00:32 |
| 7 | Nairo Quintana (Col) Team Arkea-Samsic | 0:00:35 |
| 8 | Richie Porte (Aus) Trek-Segafredo | |
| 9 | Tadej Pogacar (Slo) UAE Team Emirates | 0:01:17 |
| 10 | Romain Bardet (Fra) AG2R la Mondiale | 0:01:24 |