2023 Criterium Dauphine Stage 4 | Highlights

Report

Oh, buckle up, folks, because Mikkel Bjerg just exploded onto the scene at the Criterium du Dauphine with a stage victory and a snazzy yellow jersey to match! This 24-year-old rising star delivered a performance that will be etched in the annals of cycling history.

Let’s break it down, my friends. Bjerg embarked on an undulating journey from Cours to Belmont-de-la-Loire, covering a challenging 31.1 kilometers of road. And boy, did he give it everything he had. With sheer determination coursing through his veins, he clocked a jaw-dropping time of 37:28 and maintained an average speed of a mind-boggling 49.8 kilometers per hour. Can you believe it? This guy was on fire!

Now, let’s talk about the course, folks. It can be divided into three distinct parts. First, there was an uphill start that put even the toughest riders to the test. Then, a glorious downhill section led them to the first checkpoint at kilometer 10.7. But the journey was far from over. A flatter 9-kilometer mid-section awaited them, providing a brief respite before the ultimate challenge. And what was that, you ask? Well, it was an 11.4-kilometer false flat grind that wound up to gradients of 6% in the home straight. Talk about a nail-biting finish!

But guess what? Bjerg didn’t let the pressure get to him. He strategically paced himself, registering slower splits at the intermediate points. He knew exactly when to push the pedal to the metal. And boy, did he come home strong! He secured the stage victory with a stunning margin of 12 seconds over the second-place finisher, Jonas Vingegaard from Jumbo-Visma. This victory not only marks a monumental achievement for Bjerg but also the 31st triumph of the season for the formidable UAE Team Emirates, who are also leading the teams classification. These guys are on an absolute tear!

So let’s raise our glasses to Mikkel Bjerg, the young phenom who conquered the stage, seized the yellow jersey, and announced his arrival on the grand stage of professional cycling. With his blistering performance and the support of UAE Team Emirates, he’s proven that he’s a force to be reckoned with. Keep your eyes on this rising star, my friends, because we’ll surely witness more incredible feats from him in the future.

Results

Results powered by FirstCycling.com