Derek Gee produces late surge to win Critérium du Dauphiné stage 3
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Derek Gee (Israel-Premier Tech) took the first WorldTour win of his career at the Critérium du Dauphiné, with an impressive double attack on the rising finish to Les Estables.
Gee attacked with 500 metres to go and then went again in sight of the line after being joined by Romain Grégoire (Groupama-FDJ). He produced a huge effort to pass the Frenchman and win with his arms in the air.
Gee and Grégoire finished three seconds ahead of talented young British rider Lukas Nerurkar (EF Education-EasyPost) and so Gee also took the race leader’s yellow jersey from Magnus Cort (Uno-X Mobility).
The Dane is at three seconds, with Grégoire third at four seconds.
Despite a crash early in the stage, Primož Roglič (Bora-Hansgrohe) finished tenth on the stage and remains best placed of the overall contenders at even seconds before Wednesday’s important 34.4km time trial.
Matteo Jorgenson (Visma-Lease a Bike) is fifth at nine seconds, with everyone else at 13 seconds.
Gee has twice won the Canadian time trial championships but was stunned to win the stage. He fractured his collarbone and suffered a slight concussion at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad but has worked hard to return to form.
“I’ve been waiting for a win in Europe, I’ve come second enough times, and it was nice to finish it off,” Gee said happily.
“It’s definitely a different level. It’s unbelievably special to win here,” he added, explaining his winning move.
“Krists Neilands attacked with a kilometre to go and I was in good position and it just strung it out. When Chris came back, I had to take advantage of it.
“I slotted in fifth or sixth then I heard one of my teammates from behind me just yell ‘Derek! Go!’ as soon as he came back, and I thought I had to try it. As soon as Romain Gregoire came over, I was expecting five other people to come flying past. But I slotted onto his wheel and noticed it flattened off. It took…