Tour de France champion Jonas Vingegaard was surprisingly outsprinted by his Danish compatriot Mikkel Bjerg at the Criterium du Dauphiné and has missed out on the yellow jersey for the time being.
Just under three weeks before the start of the Tour of France, Vingegaard had to settle for second place in the individual time trial at the dress rehearsal. The top favourite finished second after 31.1 kilometres from Cours to Belmont-de-la-Loire, twelve seconds behind Bjerg.
Bjerg now in front
As a result, Bjerg also took the lead in the overall standings from Frenchman Christophe Laporte after the fourth stage, his lead over Vingegaard is twelve seconds. "I had hoped to win the stage and take the jersey. But that was very impressive from Mikkel. I hope that I can take the yellow jersey soon. Maybe I shouldn't have pushed so hard at the start," said Vingegaard.
The individual time trial does not play a major role this time in the Tour, which starts on 1 July. Only once will the riders have to race against the clock over 22.4 kilometres. Last year, Vingegaard won the Tour of France ahead of two-time overall winner Tadej Pogacar from Slovenia. A duel between the two stars can be expected again this year.
The Tour of the Dauphiné continues on Thursday with the fifth stage over 191.1 kilometres from Cormoranche-sur-Saone to Salins-les-Bains. The overall victory is likely to be decided on the mountain stages from Friday to Sunday.
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