This Sunday, the sprinters had perhaps their only opportunity of the week on the Critérium du Dauphiné. The bunch finish couldn’t be avoided, and the Dane Mads Pedersen claimed victory. For the occasion, Clément Russo joined the party in the last kilometre and obtained ninth place. A first hard finish is on the menu on Monday.
The profile wasn’t completely flat and straightforward on the first stage of the Critérium du Dauphiné this Sunday. However, the most difficult climbs were tackled at the start of the race, which therefore suggested a bunch sprint at the finish in Saint-Pourçain-sur-Sioule. This scenario took shape very early on the French roads since Mark Donovan (Q36.5) and Mathis Le Berre (Arkéa-B&B Hotels) were the only ones to hit the front. “There are only two pure sprinters at the start, Pedersen and Bennett, so we had to stay careful at the beginning because we know that the breakaways sometimes make it to the end on the Dauphiné’s first stage,” recalled Benoît Vaugrenard. “That didn’t happen today because only two riders went away, so it was easier to control.” The duo had a maximum lead of almost five minutes, but the peloton was never worried, and even waited until the last fifteen kilometres to bring them back. “We had to be careful with the bad weather and humidity today,” Benoît also said. “Fortunately, they got back on dry roads on the final circuit.” “We rode well with the team, we were always together and very focused,” said Clément Russo.
“It was fun”, Clément Russo
The latter also left the rest of the group in the very last kilometres to get involved in the bunch sprint. “I knew it was going to be difficult to win but Benoît and the guys were happy to give me the opportunity,” he said. “It was cool. Still, I wanted to wait and see a bit, because the finish was quite dangerous, and I didn’t want to take unnecessary risks. In the end, I didn’t feel too bad, so I fought for position, and it was fun. I haven’t taken part in many finishes this year, so it feels good!” “He likes these finishes where you have to position yourself, he does that well,” added Benoît. On the line, Clément Russo eventually took ninth place, but will return to a domestique role on Monday towards the uphill finish at the Col de la Loge. “The Dauphiné is now underway, but I hope that my colleagues will do better than me,” he smiled. “Now it’s all for David and the others.” “Tomorrow several scenarios are possible,” concluded Benoît. “We’ll need to see who will control. On quite a short stage of 145 kilometers, a strong breakaway can make it to the end, but I am thinking more of a small group finish for punchers. It’s a good stage for Romain if he’s got the legs.”
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