Critérium du Dauphiné 2019: Boasson Hagen outsprints Gilbert and Van Aert

The Critérium du Dauphiné opens with a hilly race of 142 kilometres. The route favours the breakaway, yet the race comes down to a sprint finish with Edvald Boasson Hagen taking the spoils. Obviously, the Norwegian rider is the first GC leader. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 1st stage Critérium du Dauphiné 2019

1. Edvald Boasson Hagen (nor)
2. Philippe Gilbert (bel) s.t.
3. Wout van Aert (bel) s.t.
4. Nils Politt (ger) s.t.
5. Gregor Mühlberger (aut) s.t.
6. Sonny Colbrelli (ita) s.t.
7. Jonas Koch (ger) s.t.
8. Alexey Lutsenko (kaz) s.t.
9. Benoît Cosnefroy (fra) s.t.
10. Michal Kwiatkowski (pol) s.t.

GC after stage 1
1. Edvald Boasson Hagen (nor)
2. Philippe Gilbert (bel) + 0.04
3. Wout van Aert (bel) + 0.06
4. Nils Politt (ger) + 0.10
5. Gregor Mühlberger (aut) s.t.
6. Sonny Colbrelli (ita) s.t.
7. Jonas Koch (ger) s.t.
8. Alexey Lutsenko (kaz) s.t.
9. Benoît Cosnefroy (fra) s.t.
10. Michal Kwiatkowski (pol) s.t.

Race report
Oliver Naesen, Magnus Cort, Niklas Eg, Fabien Doubey, Casper Pedersen and Julien Vermote break clear at kilometre 10 and they quickly open up a gap. Pedersen is the first to reach the summit of the first and hardest climb of the day, Puy Mary, ahead of Cort and Doubey. The young Dane also is the first rider over the Côte de Besse, Côte de St-Cernin and Côte de Roquenatou before he drops back with 20 kilometres remaining. Vermote and Eg are no longer on board by then.

Bjorg Lambrecht bridges to Naesen and Cort, who are the last men standing, on the final climb. The trio reaches the crest 20 seconds ahead of the peloton before widening the gap on descent. Yet, Lambrecht, Naesen and Cort are brought back inside the last 600 metres.

The ensuing sprint comes down to a clash between Gilbert and Bo Hagen with the Norwegian taking the upper hand. Van Aert powers to third place with a strong final jump.

Another interesting read: route 1st stage 2019 Critérium du Dauphiné.