2024 Criterium Dauphine Stage 4 | Highlights

Report

Remco Evenepoel of Soudal Quick-Step delivered a career-defining performance in the individual time trial (ITT) on Wednesday afternoon, claiming a commanding victory and seizing the Critérium du Dauphiné yellow jersey with four stages left in the race.

Stage four, stretching from Saint-Germain-Laval to Neulise, marked the longest ITT at the Dauphiné since 2011. The 34.4-kilometer course, featuring a challenging 500-meter climb at a 5% gradient near the finish, reshuffled the general classification, creating substantial gaps among the race favorites ahead of the upcoming mountain stages.

From the moment Evenepoel launched off the start ramp, he adopted his signature “aero bullet” position, quickly setting the fastest time at the first intermediate checkpoint. Riding his new Specialized Shiv bike, the World ITT Champion maintained an astonishing pace, even on the uphill sections, completing the course in 41:49 with an average speed of 49.35 km/h.

“I am very happy and proud,” Evenepoel expressed. “This time trial was a good test after two months, and the victory is a big confidence boost heading into the Tour de France, which is just three weeks away. I want to thank everyone who supported me—my family and my team, who were always by my side. A big thank you also to Specialized, who presented me with a new helmet and bike for this race. This gave me some extra power. It was a nice present and showed their extraordinary commitment to providing the best material, for which I am grateful.”

Reflecting on his win and the yellow jersey, Evenepoel remained cautiously optimistic about his prospects for the overall classification. “I don’t know what this victory means for the general classification and I don’t think it speaks about my shape for a good overall result. All I can say is that I am delighted to wear the beautiful yellow jersey of the Dauphiné, which together with the win makes for a successful week already. I was focused on my ride and on getting a good result today, and I will continue to take it day by day and see what I can do in the three hard stages we will spend in the mountains, where a lot of things can still happen.”

With this victory, Evenepoel has not only demonstrated his exceptional time-trial abilities but also set the stage for an exciting battle in the remaining stages of the Critérium du Dauphiné.

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