Podium for Ulissi in Piemonte as Pogačar up with the best in Dauphine

Diego Ulissi underscored his fine form with a second place at Gran Piemonte (1.Pro). After a try hot day in the Italian sun the rain poured in the final 5 kilometres of the tense finish which was won in a solo escape by George Bennett (Jumbo-Visma).

A hard effort from Valerio Conti closed the gap to the lone leader with Ulissi putting in a strong final dig with 500m to go, just running out of road to pass Bennett.

Ulissi on the finish: “When you get this close to winning and you can’t take it, you are left with regret. The team was fantastic, they were close to me in key moments trying to close the gap on Bennett after I tried to fight back on the last climb, having not had the legs to follow the New Zealander. My teammates were great in reducing the gap, then on the last climb I went from very far out to try to bridge across, but I didn’t make it. The condition is good, I hope a victory will come soon”.

Meanwhile, Tadej Pogačar put in a strong showing on day one of the Criterium Du Dauphiné in France with 5th place on the opening stage from Clermont-Ferrand to Saint-Christo-en-Jarez (218.5k).

The day was won by Wout Van Aert (Jumbo Visma) in an uphill sprint to the line in a results sheet dominated by general classification riders.

UAE Team Emirates’ climbing block of riders, Pogačar, Formolo (20th), Polanc (40th) and De La Cruz (52nd) all finished in the remains of a reduced main peloton, which bodes well for the days ahead.

Pogačar now lies second in the young riders classification, just behind Egan Bernal (Ineos).

Tomorrow will see the riders go from Vienne to the mountain top finish at Col de Porte (135 km).

Tadej Pogačar: ”It was a tough stage and very hot and humid also. I suffered a bit but in the end I had good legs but just maybe not the best position. There were many contenders to be in the front but that is to be expected with the level of riders here. So I just focused to be in the best position for the sprint. I didn’t get quite in the right position but top-5 was okay”.

 
Gran Piemonte Results:

1.George Bennett (Jumbo-Visma) 4:38:32
2.Diego Ulissi (UAE Team Emirates) “
3.Mathieu Van Der Poel (Alpecin-Fenix) @4″

Criterium Du Dauphine Stage 1 Results:

1. Wout Van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) 5:27:42
2. Daryl Impey (Mitchelton-Scott) ”
3. Egan Bernal (Ineos) ”
5. Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) “

Criterium Du Dauphine General Classification:

1. Wout Van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) 5:27:32
2. Daryl Impey (Mitchelton-Scott) @4″
3. Egan Bernal (Ineos) @6″
5. Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) @10″