Critérium du Dauphiné
Stage 5: Boën-sur-Lignon to Voiron
Historical Note
The actual race was held on 13 June 2019 and was won by Belgian rider Wout van Aert from Team Jumbo–Visma in a time of 5 hours and 34 seconds. The stage covered 201 km (124.9 miles).
Above: Flamme Rouge track tile layout for Stage 5. Approximate tabletop area required is 34 cm (13 in) x 130 cm (51 in).
Left: Schematic representation of Stage 5 using the Flamme Rouge Companion App designed by Benoit Gourdin.
The Race
Both Niklas Groen and Frankie Moss took 2 exhaustion into the stage. Khariyn Battoyrog and Michał Czerwiński took their places in the front row of the starting grid, alongside João Ultramar from the Peloton team, who was also the race leader. Both Racing Green riders were on the back row.
Let’s get ready to rumble!
Frankie Moss is lone Sprinteur on back row.
Racing Green decide to conserve their energy. Will the tactic pay off?
Czerwiński set the early pace, while the two Racing Green riders fell slightly off the rear of the peloton. This had been the tactic as they did not want to become blocked by the field early on, preferring to conserve their energy for later in the stage. Whether this move would pay off would only be known at the finishing line.
The Red Dragons Sprinteur cleared the first climb still in the lead and claimed the first Mountain point on offer. As the field bunched coming into the first cobbled section, Groen made a successful move to regain contact with the peloton, but his team-mate was still adrift. At the same time, Rhys Coch moved to join his colleague at the head of the race and broke away as the second climb approach, thus securing the stage’s second Mountain point. Following the cobbles after this short climb, Rhys was joined at the head of the race by his team-mate and by Michel Blanc (Team Camargue) and Héctor Azul.
Groen decides to bridge the gap.
Czerwiński leads off the first climb and onto the cobbles.
The lead group grows.
With the final bends in sight the field was spread out in three groups; Sprinteurs Hansie Pienk and Khariyn Battoyrog finding themselves well off the pace. It was then that Blue Mountain made its move and hit the front with a vengeance. Michel Blanc also timed his run into the line well. Had the stage been 100 m longer, he would surely have won, but as it was Ultramar squeaked home by a tire’s breadth from the Team Camargue rider. Niklas Groen came in third, leading a group of six riders all on the same time.
Blue Mountain make their move. They are looking for a clean sweep.
Ultramar pips Blanc on the line. As close as it gets!
So, for the second time in this year’s Critérium the stage was won by João Ultramar, while Groen picked up his second third-place finish to put alongside his one stage win. Michał Czerwiński (Red Dragons), who faded in the latter part of the race, was rewarded for all his work early in the stage by receiving the stage’s Combativity Award. Groen will take 2 exhaustion into stage 6, while Moss carries forward only one.
Stage Result
- João Ultramar (Blue Mountain)
- Michel Blanc (Team Camargue) + 0”
- Niklas Groen (Racing Green) + 40”
- Héctor Azul (Blue Mountain) + 40”
- Frankie Moss (Racing Green) + 40”
- Rock Salmon (Rose Racers) + 40”
- Rhys Coch (Red Dragons) + 40”
- Kyle Blackstone (Black Eagle Racing) + 40”
- Federico Bianchi (Team Bianchi) 1’30”
- Michał Czwerwiński (Red Dragons) + 2’10”
- Hansie Pienk (Rose Racers) + 4’10”
- Khariyn Battoyrog (Black Eagle Racing) + 5’00”
General Classification (after Stage 5/8)
- João Ultramar
- Héctor Azul + 1’20”
- Niklas Groen + 1’30”
- Kyle Blackstone + 1’40”
- Frankie Moss + 4’10”
- Michel Blanc + 4’50”
- Rock Salmon + 4’50”
- Rhys Coch + 6’40”
- Federico Bianchi 8’50”
- Michał Czwerwiński +11’30”
- Hansie Pienk + 11’40”
- Khariyn Battoyrog + 16’10”
Stage Points
Michał Czerwiński 1 pt
Rhys Coch 1 pt
Mountain Classification
Héctor Azul 6 pts
Kyle Blackstone 5 pts
Niklas Groen 3 pts
João Ultramar 3 pts
Khariyn Battoyrog 1 pt
Federico Bianchi 1 pt
Michał Czerwiński 1 pt
Rhys Coch 1 pt
Stage Points
João Ultramar 7 pts
Michel Blanc 3 pts
Niklas Groen 2 pts
Rhys Coch 1 pt
Héctor Azul 1 pt
Points Classification
João Ultramar 11 pts
Federico Bianchi 7 pts
Niklas Groen 7 pts
Kyle Blackstone 6 pts
Héctor Azul 6 pts
Frankie Moss 5 pts
Michel Blanc 3 pts
Rhys Coch 3 pts
Khariyn Battoyrog 1 pt