Remco Evenepoel wins the time trial and takes the yellow jersey at the Critérium du Dauphiné

Remco Evenepoel and time trials are a love story that shows no signs of ending. The Belgian rider had, in all modesty, anticipated his probable victory in the time trial of the 4th stage of the Critérium du Dauphiné, on Wednesday, June 11. Once this was assured, the double world champion and Olympic champion in the specialty quickly whipped out a cap and a T-shirt bearing the words "1,000 and beyond." A way to celebrate the thousandth success of his team, Soudal Quick-Step, on the professional cycling circuit since its creation in 2003.

Remco Evenepoel's victory over the 17.4 kilometers between Charmes-sur-Rhône and Saint-Péray, in Ardèche, ultimately came as no surprise. The 3rd-place finisher in the last Tour de France has recovered from his serious injury in December 2024 – he was hit by a vehicle during training – and says he is fitter than ever. The loss shown by his pursuers on Wednesday proves it: Visma-Lease a Bike riders Jonas Vingegaard (2nd) and Matteo Jorgenson (3rd) finished 21 and 38 seconds behind, respectively.

"These are big gaps, I'm happy to have managed to do that in such a short time trial. I feel really good," said the Belgian, who also took the lead in the general classification. The real surprise of the day finally came from the poor performance of Tadej Pogacar, only 4th with 49 seconds behind the Flemish rider. In the quest for the yellow jersey, the Slovenian is now ^8th , 38 seconds behind Remco Evenepoel and 22 seconds behind Jonas Vingegaard ( ^5th ).

With three and a half weeks to go until the start of the Tour de France, this Dauphiné serves as a dress rehearsal where the various contenders for the final victory on the Champs-Élysées on July 27th take advantage of the race days to size each other up. After winning the opening stage in a sprint on June 8th, should Tadej Pogacar be worried about this time trial result? According to Remco Evenepoel, there is no reason to be alarmed. Because this time trial, "very explosive," is "completely different" from those that will take place on the Grande Boucle, the Belgian had stated before the start of the event.

"The first will be completely flat and the second will be in the mountains. So I think the Dauphiné time trial won't play a big role." The 25-year-old rider can still boast of having gained a slight psychological advantage over his main rivals. However, the latter will have the opportunity to reverse the trend on Friday in an exercise that suits them better: the mountains, with the last three stages of the event which should allow them to make up time in the general classification.

"We've seen in recent years that we can make a big difference" as soon as the road slopes, Jonas Vingegaard warned on Wednesday. The Dane, who distinguished himself during the first stage by placing an unusual attack, said he was "satisfied" with his performance today and "to have gained time on Tadej [Pogacar]. " The response from the Slovenian, certainly stung, will be eagerly awaited at the end of the week. Between the three favorites to win the next Tour de France, the fight has already well and truly begun.