Cycling highlights: In June, our highlights are the Tour de Suisse and the Critérium du Dauphiné. Both tours have shown once again that they are not just a preparatory race for the Tour de France.
Cycling Highlights #I: Wout van Aert
Wout van Aert (Jumbo – Visma) has undoubtedly made his breakthrough in road cycling this season. The crosser presented itself so well in the classics in spring that it always had to be counted among the favourites. The fact that the Belgian can also win mass sprints and time trials may have surprised even him. He proved this to us Criterium du Dauphine. Van Aert won the 4st stage in the time trial and the 5st stage in the sprint. Strong!
Cycling Highlights #II: Gregor Mühlberger
Taking on Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck – Quick-Step) in a break is no easy feat. But Gregor Mühlberger (Bora – hansgrohe) has on the 6st stage of Criterium du Dauphine shown that it is entirely possible. Even if the Austrian missed the sprint for the day's win by a few centimetres, he deserves our absolute respect. Mühlberger not only stayed tuned, but even dictated the pace on a descent. He then started the decisive sprint from the beginning – and almost won.
Cycling Highlights #III: Emanuel Buchmann
Like the entire Bora – hansgrohe team, Emanuel Buchmann improved again in 2019. The German presented himself at the Criterium du Dauphine in excellent tour shape. On the 7st stage after Les Sept Laux-Pipay there were three climbs of the first category and one HC mountain to finish off. That didn't seem to be a problem for Emanuel Buchmann. On the final climb he attacked boldly and pulled Jakob Fuglsang (Astana) with him. Later only Wout Poels (Ineos) was able to catch up and win the section. Emanuel Buchmann was third - as he was later in the overall rating.
Cycling Highlights #IV: Hugh Carthy
Also at the Tour of Switzerland there were some cycling highlights to admire in June. Probably the most impressive performance came at the end. Hugh Carthy (EF Education First) was at the front of the race for over 100km. At first he was part of a breakaway group, before things got too slow for him there and he continued his journey as a soloist - with success. The Briton kept all pursuers and the favorites at bay and won the 9st stage in solo.
Cycling Highlights #V: Egan Bernal
The 7st stage of Tour of Switzerland ended on the Gotthard Pass. While there was still snow at the side of the road, Egan Bernal (Ineos) kept his cool. The Colombian attacked and won in the yellow jersey. He knew that he still had to gain valuable time on opponent Rohan Dennis (Bahrain - Merida) because he is simply stronger in the time trial. Said and done. Bernal won the section, won the Tour de Suisse and has now risen to become one of the top favorites for the Tour de France.
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