Critérium du Dauphiné
Stage 6: Saint-Vulbas to Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne
Historical Note
This stage in the actual race took place on 14 June 2019 and was won by the French rider Julian Alaphilippe racing for Deceuninck–Quick-Step. The winner covered the 228 km (141.7 miles) in 6 hours and 54 seconds.
Layout: 122 cm (48 in) x 62 cm (25 in)
Topographical plan created using the Flamme Rouge Companion App designed by Benoit Gourdin.
The Race
Stage 6 was the first Mountain stage of the race and would potentially ask serious questions of the riders, especially their stamina and their ability to conserve energy for the three arduous ascents. In particular, having sufficient reserves to cope with the final climb might stretch all the riders to breaking point.
Going into the stage, the General Classification was led by the two Blue Mountain riders. Héctor Azul also led the Mountain Classification, while his team-mate João Ultramar topped the Points Classification. Would Blue Mountain be able to maintain their vice-like grip on the race as a whole? Only time would tell.
Azul leads into first climb.
Azul and Moss take the race across the cobbles.
The stage started off well for the Sprinteurs, with Hansie Pienk taking the early lead, closely followed by Frankie Moss, Federico Bianchi and João Ultramar. Once again, Niklas Groen of Racing Green decided to remain at the rear of the race to conserve energy early on. As the first climb came into view, Azul made his move and surged to the head of the peloton, while his team-mate fell back into the pack. However, the remaining three Sprinteurs stuck to Azul’s coat tails and would not allow him to establish any meaningful lead. Nonetheless, as the climb proceeded Héctor managed to shake off all but Frankie and these two riders claimed the first Mountain points of the stage: Héctor 2 points, Frankie 1.
These two riders continued to set the pace coming down off the mountain and led through the cobbles, thus avoiding any delay. It was following the feed station that Frankie made his move, breaking away from Héctor, who was gradually hauled in by the chasing peloton. At this point, Frankie’s team-mate was the back marker, alongside Michel Blanc. Both of these Rouleurs were seemingly well out of contention for any honours this stage.
Frankie Moss takes the race by the horns.
Peloton takes up the chase.
Azul catches up with Moss, as the latter begins to tire.
Peloton bunches behind the two leaders.
Frankie led through the first intermediate sprint and collected 2 points, while Michał Czerwiński (Red Dragons) managed to hold off Khariyn Battoyrog (Black Eagle Racing) to snaffle the third and final point. At the head of the race, Frankie was visibly suffering from his early pace, but still managed to beat the now refreshed Azul to the second climb. The Mountain points were again shared by these two riders, but it was Frankie who took 2 points this time and Héctor had to settle for one.
Rejuvenated by his spell in the peloton and energised by his Mountain point, Héctor now pushed on and demonstrated for all to see the determination and stamina for which he is renowned. No one was going to stop him claim this stage victory. Despite the fact that the peloton managed to close the gap before the final climb, Héctor pushed on. Initially, Frankie matched him pedal to pedal but as the climb wore on the Blue Mountain rider showed his true mettle and managed to pull away decisively just before the line.
Final climb.
Azul takes the stage win!
Set up for a solo-play 6-team stage.
This exertion finally told on the Racing Green Sprinteur as he was passed first by Federico Bianchi who had appeared out of nowhere and then by João Ultramar. Unfortunately for Racing Green, Groen had timed his attack too late, but he was still able to pip his team-mate on the line.
So, Azul took the stage win and thereby cemented his lead in the Mountain Classification, while Frankie received the Combativity Award for his day’s work. The latter will take 3 exhaustion into the next stage, while Niklas Groen will be totally rested. The biggest loser today was Kyle Blackstone, who seems to have fallen out of contention for the main race honours.
Stage Result
- Héctor Azul (Blue Mountain)
- Federico Bianchi (Team Camargue) + 1’10”
- João Ultramar (Blue Mountain) + 1’20”
- Niklas Groen (Racing Green) + 1’20”
- Frankie Moss (Racing Green) + 2’20”
- Rock Salmon (Rose Racers) + 2’20”
- Hansie Pienk (Rose Racers) + 3’20”
- Michel Blanc (Team Camargue) + 3’20”
- Khariyn Battoyrog (Black Eagle Racing) + 4’20”
- Rhys Coch (Red Dragons) + 4’20”
- Michał Czerwiński (Red Dragons) + 5’30”
- Kyle Blackstone (Black Eagle Racing) + 6’10”
General Classification (after Stage 6/8)
- Héctor Azul
- João Ultramar + 0”
- Niklas Groen + 1’30”
- Frankie Moss + 5’10”
- Rock Salmon + 5’50”
- Kyle Blackstone + 6’40”
- Michel Blanc + 6’50”
- Federico Bianchi + 8’40”
- Rhys Coch + 9’40”
- Hansie Pienk + 13’40”
- Michał Czerwiński + 15’40”
- Khariyn Battoyrog + 19’10”
Mountains Points (this stage)
Héctor Azul 5 pts
Frankie Moss 3 pts
Federico Bianchi 1 pt
Mountains Classification (overall)
Héctor Azul 11 pts
Kyle Blackstone 5 pts
Niklas Groen 3 pts
João Ultramar 3 pts
Frankie Moss 3 pts
Federico Bianchi 2 pts
Khariyn Battoyrog 1 pt
Michał Czerwiński 1 pt
Rhys Coch 1 pt
Points (this stage)
Héctor Azul 2 pts
Frankie Moss 2 pts
Michał Czerwiński 1 pt
Federico Bianchi 1 pt
Points Classification (overall)
João Ultramar 11 pts
Federico Bianchi 8 pts
Héctor Azul 8 pts
Frankie Moss 7 pts
Niklas Groen 7 pts
Kyle Blackstone 6 pts
Michel Blanc 3 pts
Rhys Coch 3 pts
Khariyn Battoyrog 1 pt
Michał Czerwiński 1 pt