Critérium du Dauphiné: Remco Evenepoel sends message with strong win in stage 4 time trial and takes GC lead

Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step) produced a monster time trial effort on stage 4 of the Critérium du Dauphiné and moved into the race lead as he beat younger ITT star Josh Tarling (Ineos Grenadiers) and claimed victory in a time of 41:49.

There was some doubt over how time trial World Champion Evenepoel would carry out on his return to competitors after breaking his collarbone and scapula at Itzulia Basque Country in April.

But the 24-year-old rapidly confirmed that any reported pre-race shoulder stiffness wasn’t hindering him a lot anymore as he settled into his ‘aero bullet’ place for the 40-minute effort and went faster than European Champion Tarling by 17 seconds over the 34.4km course into Neulise.

Tarling had set the early benchmark because the fourth starter on the day and wasn’t even near being matched till Evenepoel crossed the road some two hours later after a protracted stint within the sizzling seat. The Brit was second on the day with Primož Roglič (Bora-Hansgrohe) ending the race towards the clock 39 seconds down in third.

After stating earlier than the Dauphiné that he wouldn’t be going for the general GC, Evenepoel now finds himself within the yellow jersey midway by the race after Derek Gee (Israel-Premier Tech) completed 1:24 down regardless of a valiant struggle within the yellow jersey.

More to return …

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