Finally, this Critérium du Dauphiné has gained a little height and not only because of an arrival judged at more than 2000 m of altitude, at the resort of La Plagne (Savoie). This Saturday there were some interesting offensives. Starting with that of the surprising Ukrainian Mark Padun (Bahrain Victorious), surprise winner of the 7th stage. The Australian Richie Porte (Ineos) seized the yellow jersey one day from the end thanks to his attack. He marks, at least temporarily, an advantage over his teammate Geraint Thomas in the internal fight for the status of leader at Ineos for the next Tour de France.
But it has also changed among the French.
In the direction of the descent for Guillaume Martin, the best chance in the overall standings before the start of Saint-Martin-le-Vinoux.
The climber from Cofidis thought he had eaten his black bread the day before.
Alas, this time it's the whole bakery of the same color that he had to swallow.
Dropped from the first percentages towards La Plagne, he finished more than six minutes from the winner.
And he doesn't understand where the problem is coming from.
David Gaudu, 7th in the stage which ended in La Plagne, donned the best young rider's white jersey this Saturday.
AFP / Alain Jocard
“The sensations were worse than the day before, he breathes.
On the last climb, I quickly saw that I had no strength.
I couldn't go any faster and ended up a little drained.
I have no explanation.
The heart was not rising and I could not speed up.
It's been a long time since I last had a "crunchy" like this.
It is never pleasant.
»Martin wonders if his fall during the 3rd stage has not broken something with him.
“This had already happened to me at the Tour last year,” he recalls.
I hope it is just that.
I reassure myself by telling myself that the Tour is only in three weeks.
But I don't see why my form would be gone overnight.
"
"I didn't think I was at this level"
If Martin grimaces, other French people smile behind the mask. First David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ), 7th on the stage and new white jersey for best young rider. "The form rises as you go," he relishes. The white jersey? We know that a last stage of the Dauphiné is often decisive. We must not crack. But I have built up confidence. "
His compatriot Aurélien Paret-Peintre (AG2R-Citroën) is even more radiant. At 25, he confirms his full potential. 16th in the Giro 2020 and 9th in Paris-Nice this season, the Haut-Savoyard remains in the top 10 and is surprised to follow the best almost until the end. “I didn't think I was at this level,” he admits. I held on and every day I get closer to the best climbers. I've never been so far with the best and clearly I'm getting closer to the group of favorites. A mental click? It's possible. I know I can do it. I'm not surprised but happy to be at this level. "
