A Day of Highs: The 7th Stage of Criterium Dauphiné

Cycling’s drama and beauty often unfold in the heart of mountains, where brute strength meets tactical genius. Yesterday, the 7th stage of the Criterium Dauphiné, taking riders from Leporte-de-Savoie to the top of Col de la Croix de Fer in Saint Sorlin, offered a prime example of this truism.

The day’s stage stretched 148 kilometers, punctuated by three significant climbs: two of the hors categorie (HC, beyond category) and one category 1 mountain. It was a day destined to make waves in the general classification, a true test of strength and endurance.

As the peloton approached the first mountain, Col de la Madeleine, a surprising break had formed. Victor Campenaerts from Lotto Dstny, an accomplished time trialist but not known for his climbing, had seized the day, taking the lead alone and showing remarkable strength on the mountainous terrain.

Col de la Madeleine, a daunting climb of hors categorie, saw Campenaerts cross the King of the Mountain (KOM) point first, followed by Anthony Perez of Cofidis and Pierre Latour of Total Energies. Campenaerts’ efforts didn’t go unnoticed as he claimed not just the lead but the admiration of spectators and fellow riders alike.

The real drama unfolded with 41 kilometers to go. Campenaerts, refusing to surrender his lead, continued to push the pace. The first trio of chasers were 1’30” behind, with others following in hot pursuit. Despite the immense challenge, the Belgian rider powered on, with his determination creating a spectacle on the road.

The Col du Mollard, the second mountain of the day, also belonged to Campenaerts. The grit and determination of the Lotto Dstny rider were awe-inspiring as he claimed the KOM once again, this achievement granting him the coveted mountain classification jersey.

As the riders approached the final ascent of the day, Col de la Croix de Fer, the atmosphere was electric. This climb, also of hors categorie, would decide the stage winner, with its summit serving as the finish line. As the road tilted upwards, a final 13.1 km of grueling terrain awaited, with an average gradient of 6.2%.

Unfortunately, with 13 km to go, the courageous solo break of Victor Campenaerts came to an end. He was swallowed up by the peloton at the foot of the Col de la Croix de Fer, setting the stage for a thrilling showdown on one of the Dauphiné’s most iconic climbs.

With 5 km to the final summit, Jonas Vingegaard of Jumbo-Visma launched a daring attack. The young Danish rider, unfazed by the caliber of the climb, ascended with a pace that no one could match, quickly creating a gap between himself and the rest of the peloton.

As the kilometers melted away beneath Vingegaard’s relentless pace, it became clear that he would be the first to cross the line. He crested the summit of the Col de la Croix de Fer alone, a testament to his strength and determination, and an unforgettable victory in the heart of the Alps.

Adam Yates from the UAE team rolled in second, another strong performance from the British climber. However, the overall general classification remained unchanged, with Jonas Vingegaard retaining his lead, followed by Adam Yates and Ben O’Connor from the AG2R Citroen team.

This stage of the Criterium Dauphiné reminded us why we love cycling. From Victor Campenaerts’ inspiring breakaway to Jonas Vingegaard’s decisive mountain attack, the day was a thrilling exhibition of courage, strength, and tactical brilliance, encapsulating the very essence of this beautiful sport.