Bjerg’s successful flight

June 7 ^th 2023 - 16:56

Mikkel Bjerg (UAE Team Emirates) had a stunning and visibly emotional performance in stage 4 of the Critérium du Dauphiné 2023, an individual time trial that saw him get the best of Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma). The Danish winner of the Tour de France 2022 had the best start but his younger compatriot was stronger and stronger as the kilometres went by, until he set the best time at the finish: 37’28’’ to cover 31.1km (49.8km/h), 12’’ ahead of Vingegaard and 27’’ ahead of Rémi Cavagna (Soudal Quick-Step). Christophe Laporte (Jumbo-Visma) finished 21st (+1’50’’) and lost his leader’s jersey to Bjerg, who claims at 24 years old his first professional victory, in line with his three titles as the U23 ITT world champion.

The sun is out to accompany the 140 riders gearing up to take on one of the most important challenges of the Critérium du Dauphiné 2023: a 31.1 km time trial with 445 metres of elevation from Cours to Belmont-de-la-Loire.

Donavan Grondin (Arkéa Samsic) is the first rider to start, at 13:41. He’s also the first rider at the finish, but Dylan van Baarle (Jumbo-Visma) immediately sets a better time (41’13’’). And he’s quickly beaten by Ryan Mullen (Bora-Hansgrohe) as well, with a time of 39’23’’.

As the experts up the ante, the times go down: 38’33’’ for Jonathan Castroviejo (Ineos Grenadiers), 38’30’’ for Nelson Oliveira (Movistar)… And 37’55’’ for Rémi Cavagna (Soudal Quicl-Step). Can he make it four French victories in four stages? His impressive reference stands for a long time. But not until the end.

Vingegaard starts strong, Bjerg finishes stronger

A three-time U23 ITT world champion, Mikel Bjerg (UAE Team Emirates) takes a good start and increases the pace in the second part of the race, so much that he puts 27’’ behind him and Cavagna, who was 9’’ ahead of him after 10.7km. With an average speed of 49.8km/h, he sets a reference of 37’28’’.

Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma) is the fastest at the first intermediate point, 20’’ ahead of Bjerg. But The Danish winner of the Tour de France 2022 eventually takes the 2nd best time, 12’’ behind Bjerg.

Laporte's run in yellow and blue comes to an end

After that, nobody comes close to Bjerg but Fred Wright (Bahrain Victorious) takes the 4th best time (+34’’). Ben O’Connor (AG2R Citroën) is the best among Vingegaard’s rivals for the GC battle, dropping 29’’ on the Danish rider. Adam Yates (UAE Team Emirates) follows closely, with a gap of 45’’ to Vingegaard.

As for Christophe Laporte (Jumbo-Visma), he takes the 21st best time, 1’50’’ behind the winner fo the day. Mikkel Bjerg doesn’t only take the stage win, but also the yellow and blue jersey!