Towering solo win for Team Emirates’ Formolo as Roglic shines at Criterium
PARIS: Italy’s Davide Formolo completed a courageous solo break over two Alpine summits to win stage three of the Criterium du Dauphine on Friday.
Overnight leader Primoz Roglic of Jumbo Visma was second, extending his lead over French climber Thibaut Pinot and Ineos general Egan Bernal with a late burst at the very end of the 157 km run between Corenc and Saint-martin-de-belleville.
Former ski-jumper Roglic once again underlined his burgeoning status as favourite to win the upcoming Tour de France while Bernal’s teammates Chris Froome and Geraint Thomas were unable as yet to deliver the kind of support Roglic enjoyed on the steep climbs. Bernal was nine seconds adrift of Roglic while four-time Tour de France champion Froome eased up, finishing 15 minutes off the pace.
The 27-year-old Formolo of the UAE Emirates Team said afterwards he had also won an internal batle with himself to fight through the pain barrier.
“My morale dropped but I continued to work hard and the victory finally came,” said the day’s winner who went solo on the epic ascent of the Col de La Madeleine, 17.3km at over eight percent incline.
Speeding through flower-laden Alpine villages with their wooden ski-chalets, Formolo stooped low in a dare-devil descent before tackling the 14.8km final ascent at 6 percent, with the peloton closing in fast.
“On the last climb I didn’t know and I prayed that I would be first,” admited the delighted winner ater he crossed the line in 4 hours 6mins 56sec.
Meanwhile, Ireland’s Dan Martin pulled out of the Criterium du Dauphine on Friday ater the Israel Start-up nation team leader fell and fractured a bone in his lower back.
The accident on Thursday has let the 33-year-old general classification contender in a race against time to be fit for the Tour de France’s delayed start in just two weeks time.
“I’m optimistic I can still race the Tour de France,” said Martin, who has a sacral fracture, which is the bone between the back and the tailbone.
“It’s a shame as I felt I was in great shape but I’m a fast healer and I have reason to remain optimistic,” added the double Tour de France stage winner and candidate for the top 10.
“I don’t have a scratch on me really, but I landed full force on the botom of my back. Unfortunately we have a small fracture down there in my sacrum.”
Martin’s loss for the Tour de France would be a major blow for the ambitious Israel Start-up Nation team, who have signed Chris Froome for next season.