The race against the clock awaited the riders on day four of the Critérium du Dauphiné today. A 16.4-kilometer-long time trial from Firminy to Roche-la-Moliere on an undulated parkour was the first real test for the GC contenders. With Politt, Kelderman, Konrad and Pöstlberger BORA – hansgrohe had four riders that were expected to do well, with Pöstlberger also trying to hang on to the yellow jersey once again. It was J. Vingegaard who set a first benchmark in 21:53 today. Nils rode a solid TT over pacing a little in the first part, which happened to a lot of riders today. He finished the race in 24thplace 51 seconds down on the stage winner. Wilco also started fast to set a new provisional best time at the intermediate split but managed to keep his pace throughout the race. He was the fastest of the BORA – hansgrohe riders today clocking an impressive 21:48 to take 4th place in the end. Meanwhile A. Lutsenko crossed the line after 21:36 to take the stage win, but Lukas Pöstlberger was still out on the course. Lukas did an exceptional time trial and took 9th place to defend the yellow jersey once again by only one second. Also Patrick Konrad showed a very strong performance taking 12th place in the end.
From the Finish Line
“This was the TT of my life. Looks like yellow really gives you wings. When I saw the course this morning, I was happy because it had technical parts and uphill sections to push but no real flat part that favored the TT specialists. I took a lot of risk in the downhills to save power for the uphill parts. I also still could push a big gear in the last crosswind part, I think that was key. But in the end, I am really surprised to still keep the jersey. We’ll have to watch out tomorrow about the bonus seconds, but there is a chance to defend yellow one more day.” – Lukas Pöstlberger
“Today I felt really good for the first time. After altitude it is always difficult to find your rhythm and I didn’t have the best legs the last days. I started a little too fast maybe and really suffered in the last part. It was a dynamic parkour, you had to go over the limit uphill and try to recover downhill. My feeling is good now and I am also confident for the next stages.” – Wilco Kelderman
“We are really happy today. All three guys did an exceptional job today. Also Patrick did a really strong TT and he is also in very good position now. Wilco was perfect, I think the best TT he ever did. And Pösti, well he surprised everybody, I think. He was giving it his all, or even more. He also took risks and got the reward. We are super happy to keep the jersey. Also tomorrow we will do our best to defend it once again, but our priority are Wilco and Patrick and if needed we will sacrifice the jersey.” – Enrico Poitschke, Sports Director
