The Italian Jonathan Milan won the second stage of the Critérium du Dauphiné and took over the yellow jersey from the Slovenian cycling dominator Tadej Pogacar.
After 204.6 hilly kilometers from Prémilhat to Issoire, the Italian from the Lidl-Trek team made a sprint against the British against the British Fred Wright (Bahrain-Victorious) and Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) from the lower shop.
“I suffered a lot, I was really at the limit,” said Milan after the race: “If you have a team that supports this and believes in you, it gives you a lot of motivation.”
Pogacar and Vingegaard roles to the finish line
Because Pogacar (UAE Emirates-XRG) was only 41st after his victory at the start of the Dauphiné, the Tour-de France winner lost the yellow jersey of the overall leader to Milan, which has been better off. Pogacar’s Danish permanent rival Jonas Vingegaard (Visma Lease A Bike) finished 35. The big duels of the two Tour-de France favorites are still coming.
On the last long climb of the stage, Romain Bardet (Picnic Postnl) had been looking for his luck – but in the event of a strong headwind, the 34 -year -old Frenchman was caught up a few kilometers before the finish. The peloton approached the finish line closed, the stage therefore decided in the mass sprint. Van der Poel, also third day, set his attack too late this time.
At the Dauphiné, which ends on June 15 with the climb to Col du Mont-Cenis, the stars test their shape before the upcoming Tour de France. A total of eight stages in southeastern France, on Tuesday, over 207.2 kilometers from Briude to Charantonnay.