Critérium du Dauphiné
Stage 8: Cluses to Champéry
Historical Note
This stage was held on 16 June 2019. The course was 113.5 km in length (70.5 miles) and was won by Dutch rider Dylan van Baarle racing for Team Ineos, who completed the stage in 3 hours 5 minutes and 48 seconds.
Layout: approx. 109 cm (43 in) x 46 cm (18 in)
Topographical plan designed using the Flamme Rouge Companion App created by Benoit Gourdin.
The Race
Heading into the final stage of the race, the two Blue Mountain riders were still in pole position. Barring a totally unexpected event, these two were going to finish first and second, the only question was how the one-two would look. Meanwhile, João Ultramar had sown up the Points Classification jersey. Nonetheless, the Mountains Classification was still up for grabs, with any one of four riders able to claim the crown of King of the Mountains: Kyle Blackstone, Héctor Azul, Michel Blanc and Rhys Coch. At the other end of the race, would Rose Racers finally manage to score any points. So far, they were the only team yet to break their duck.
The stage was a Mountain stage, with two major climbs and two minor ones. The sprint to the finish line was also going to be uphill. A stage unsuited to the Sprinteurs, but offering plenty of potential to the climbers in the field: a total of 10 Mountain points were on offer.
Battoyrog leads the peloton out.
Red Dragons and Black Eagle Racing stage beakaway.
The stage was led out by the Red Dragons and Black Eagle Racing, with Racing Green adopting their now familiar tactic of holding back at the start of the stage. This wait-and-see tactic had brought mixed results so far, but there was always the chance that fortune would favour the cautious this time around; at least, that was the belief of Frankie and Niklas. Approaching the first climb, Battoyrog led the leading group which included his team-mate and both Red Dragons riders along with Federico Bianchi and Rock Salmon. The first Mountains points were at stake and both Kyle and Rhys were in contention for this accolade. The points were awarded as follows: Battoyrog 3 pts, Kyle 2 pts and Rhys 1 pt.
Battoyrog still leads into first climb.
Black Eagle Racing still making all the running.
Peloton claws back the leaders, but not Battoyrog.
The flat section of the course following this first major climb allowed the peloton to regain contact with the leaders, but the Black Eagle Racing riders still maintained their lead over the next, albeit shorter, climb: Battoyrog 1 point. Then, in the approach to the second major climb the same breakaway group sought to make its move. Blue Mountain and Racing Green were still seemingly content to let the others get on with it in the hope they would tire and allow the victory to be taken on the line. As the third climb began, Kyle moved to the front in search of the Mountain points. His move proved decisive: Kyle 3 pts, Rhys 2 and Michel 1.
Peloton pays the price; leaders break away again!
Last major climb.
Coming into the line, Battoyrog had been dropped and Rhys and Kyle were wheel to wheel fighting for the stage win. It did not look as though any of the other teams would make any impact on this the final stage. However, from apparently nowhere, Niklas Groen timed his final spurt to perfection and sealed third place in the stage, behind Rhys (3 Mountain points and 1 Sprint point) in first and Kyle (1 Mountain point) in second. This was Rhys’ second stage win. The Combativity Award went to Khariyn Battoyrog.
This brought to a thrilling climax the 2019 Critérium du Dauphiné. João Ultramar claimed the General Classification, ahead of his team-mate Héctor Azul, with Niklas Groen in third. João was also awarded the Points Classification. On the other hand, the Mountains Classification went to Kyle Blackstone. This was due in no small part to his team’s sterling performance during this final stage. Amazingly, seven different riders had each gained one Combativity Award, so there was no overall award in this category.
Rhys and Kyle, wheel to wheel
Niklas snatches 3rd place.
Rhys Coch seals his 2nd stage win.
General Classification
Stage 8
- Rhys Coch (Red Dragons)
- Kyle Blackstone (Black Eagle Racing) + 0”
- Niklas Groen (Racing Green) + 10”
- Rock Salmon (Rose Racers) + 50”
- Michel Blanc (Team Camargue) + 50”
- Federico Bianchi (Team Camargue) + 50”
- Michał Czerwiński (Red Dragons) + 50”
- João Ultramar (Blue Mountain) + 50”
- Frankie Moss (Racing Green) + 50”
- Héctor Azul (Blue Mountain) + 1’50”
- Khariyn Battoyrog (Black Eagle Racing) + 2’10”
- Hansie Pienk (Rose Racers) + 2’10”
after Stage 8/8
- João Ultramar
- Héctor Azul + 1’00”
- Niklas Groen + 2’00”
- Kyle Blackstone + 5’00”
- Michel Blanc + 5’00”
- Frankie Moss + 6’20”
- Rhys Coch + 8’50”
- Rock Salmon + 9’00”
- Federico Bianchi + 11’50”
- Hansie Pienk + 17’10”
- Michał Czerwiński + 18’50”
- Khariyn Battoyrog + 25’40”
Mountains Classification
Stage 8
Kyle Blackstone 6 pts
Rhys Coch 6 pts
Khariyn Battoyrog 4 pts
Michel Blanc 1 pt
Overall
Kyle Blackstone 18 pts
Rhys Coch 14 pts
Héctor Azul 11 pts
Michel Blanc 10 pts
Khariyn Battoyrog 5 pts
João Ultramar 5 pts
Niklas Groen 3 pts
Frankie Moss 3 pts
Federico Bianchi 2 pts
Michał Czerwiński 2 pts
Kyle Blackstone, King of the Mountains
Points Classification
Stage 8
Khariyn Battoyrog 2 pts
Kyle Blackstone 1 pt
Rhys Coch 1 pt
Overall
João Ultramar 11 pts
Federico Bianchi 8 pts
Héctor Azul 8 pts
Kyle Blackstone 8 pts
Frankie Moss 7 pts
Niklas Groen 7 pts
Michel Blanc 6 pts
Rhys Coch 4 pts
Khariyn Battoyrog 3 pts
Michał Czerwiński 1 pt
João Ultramar takes Points Classification.