Derek Gee has won his first professional race that wasn’t at a national road championships. Tuesday featured the second consecutive uphill finish at the 76th Critérium du Dauphiné, where Gee outsprinted Romaine Gregoire. Gee now leads the race after three stages.
The Course
Two early climbs in the opening half of 181 km from Celles-sur-Durolle to Les Estables in the Massif Central might entice a good-sized breakaway, but the real fun arrived at Kilometre 122. There, an upward trend in telemetry included a Cat. 3 and Cat. 4 over a stretch of 25 km. The final climb was a 3.8-km Cat. 3, but it was really more like six kilometers of ascending. The chilly weather yielded on Tuesday.
Another uphill finish at the #Dauphine on the stage between Celles-sur-Durolle and Les Estables, but it remains to be seen if at the end of the day there will be any proper gaps between the general classification contenders. pic.twitter.com/Otggmc2Ki5
— Soudal Quick-Step Pro Cycling Team (@soudalquickstep) June 4, 2024
Only a trio of fugitives bothered breaking away. Primož Roglič got his traditional crash out of the way early. By the time the threesome tipped over the steepest climb of the race so far, 8.8 percent Côte de Saint-Victor-sur-Arlanc, its gap was 2:30.
#Dauphiné 🇫🇷 – 🏁 121 KM
🇸🇮 Roglic is back in the bunch, some damage can be seen on his back.#DomestiqueLive pic.twitter.com/9FBKzUubA2
— Domestique (@Domestique___) June 4, 2024
Not surprisingly, the gap dropped as the race hit Cat. 3 Côte de Retournac and Cat. 4 Côte de Valogeon on the long uphill section. A rider bridged over to make a temporary quartet, but the loss of a French component made it a trio once more. By the foot of the final climb, with UAE-Emirates and Ineos pulling behind, the advantage was negligible.
The escape was finally gathered up just inside 3 km to go. Near the top, Gee and Gregoire bolted from the pack and fought it out for the day’s flowers. The Canuck prevailed.
Wednesday is the Dauphiné’s 34.4-km time trial.
2024 Critérium du Dauphiné Stage 3
1)Derek Gee (Canada/Israel-Premier Tech)
2024 Critérium du Dauphiné GC
1) Derek Gee (Canada/Israel-Premier Tech)
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