2023 Criterium Dauphine Stage 3 | Highlights

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Hold on to your hats, folks, because Christophe Laporte just pulled off a stunner at the Critérium du Dauphiné! This Frenchman from Team Jumbo-Visma, decked out in that glorious yellow leader’s jersey, unleashed his lightning-fast speed in a bunch sprint to take home the victory in the streets of Le Coteau. And let me tell you, this win marked Laporte’s 30th as a professional. That’s right, 30 victories under his belt!

Now, let’s break down this wild stage, my friends. It had two distinct phases, like a roller coaster ride through the French countryside. The first part was a real test for the peloton, with climbs that made their legs scream for mercy. But fear not, because the latter part of the stage was as flat as a pancake. And who was at the front, leading the charge all day long? Team Jumbo-Visma, that’s who. They kept their squad out of trouble and showed the world what teamwork is all about.

As the final kilometers approached, the black-and-yellow brigade shifted their focus to their classification rider, Jonas Vingegaard. They kept him right at the front, setting the stage for Laporte to shine in the grand finale. Now, here’s the twist, my friends. With just a few hundred meters to go, it seemed like Laporte was out of the running. But this guy, this absolute beast, managed to pull off a maneuver that left everyone in awe. He weaved his way through the chaos, emerging at the front of the pack like a speeding bullet. And in a blink of an eye, he outpaced the pure sprinters, claiming his fourth victory of the year. Team Jumbo-Visma celebrated their 32nd victory of the season, adding to their already impressive tally.

But wait, there’s more! Laporte himself was taken by surprise by this win. He confessed, “This victory caught me off guard, folks. Before the race, people were saying this finish was tailor-made for the sprinters. But I had a chat with the team management and let them know I wanted to go all-in for the win. Of course, our main goal was to protect Jonas in the final stretch. Once we accomplished that, I saw my opportunity and seized it with all my might. I found the perfect gap and unleashed my speed. And guess what? It worked like a charm! I can’t express how happy I am right now. It’s been ages since I had my sights set on a flat bunch sprint. Thanks to the incredible strength of my team, I could focus on securing a top result in the final moments. Winning for the second time in just three days is a feeling like no other.”

Now, let’s talk about that yellow jersey, folks. Laporte’s grip on it has tightened, thanks to those bonification seconds he earned along the way. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves here. Laporte knows that holding on to that jersey won’t be a walk in the park. He’s not fooling himself, my friends. Tomorrow’s time trial is a different beast altogether, and it might be a tad too long for his liking. He’s got a decent time trial in him, but anything over 30 kilometers? That’s pushing it. Nevertheless, he’s not one to back down from a challenge. He’s ready to give it his all, because you don’t just let go of a jersey like that, my friends.

So, let’s raise a glass to Christophe Laporte, the man who defied expectations and blazed his way to victory in stunning fashion. With his 30th professional win, he’s proven once again that he’s a force to be reckoned with. Keep your eyes on this guy, folks, because he’s got the speed, the determination, and the heart of a champion.

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