2023 Criterium Dauphine Stage 6 | Highlights

Report

Oh, folks, it’s time to give a round of applause to Georg Zimmermann for his sensational victory in the sixth stage of the Critérium du Dauphiné! This 25-year-old German rider put on a masterclass in breakaway brilliance, leaving his competitors in the dust and securing his first-ever World Tour success of the season. And let’s not forget, this is also the first victory of the season for the team led by the one and only Jean-François Bourlart. What a triumph!

Now, let me set the stage for you. This wasn’t just any ordinary breakaway. No, no. Zimmermann was on fire, coming off a breakaway the day before and returning for another shot at glory. And guess what? He made all the right moves, joining the perfect breakaway group after an hour of full-throttle racing. This pack of 14 determined riders managed to build a maximum lead of just over 3 minutes, which was eventually reduced to 2 minutes as they tackled the challenging Col des Aravis, a mere 30 kilometers from the finish.

One by one, Zimmermann’s breakaway companions fell victim to the unforgiving slopes of the Col d’Aravis, leaving the German rider at the top alongside Jonathan Castroviejo of INEOS and Mathieu Burgaudeau of TotalEnergies. This trio embarked on the final climb towards the finish in Crest-Voland, holding a tantalizing advantage of one minute and a half.

With just 2 kilometers to go, Zimmermann unleashed a blistering attack, attempting to create a significant gap between him and Burgaudeau. But alas, it wasn’t quite enough. Burgaudeau, like a tenacious warrior, clawed his way back to Zimmermann after the red flag. It was a battle to the finish, my friends, and in a thrilling sprint, the German rider prevailed, leaving Burgaudeau in his wake. Oh, what a sight it must have been, with more than 60 teammates from the Walloon team cheering on Zimmermann as he crossed that finish line in triumphant glory. This victory marks his second professional triumph, following a stage win in the Tour de l’Ain back in 2021. And let’s not forget, it’s the twelfth victory of the season for the unstoppable Intermarché-Circus-Wanty team.

So let’s raise our glasses to Georg Zimmermann, the breakout star of the Critérium du Dauphiné. His relentless determination, strategic brilliance, and unwavering spirit have earned him a well-deserved place in the winner’s circle. Congratulations, Zimmermann, on your remarkable achievement. May this be just the beginning of an extraordinary journey filled with more triumphs and glory.

Results

Results powered by FirstCycling.com