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James Moultrie

'One of the hardest days on the bike I've ever had' – Mathieu van der Poel falls short of Critérium du Dauphiné victory after breakaway 'gamble'

van der Poel Critérium du Dauphiné ANNECHRISTINE POUJOULAT Florian Lipowitz Mathieu van der Poel AlpecinDeceuninck
Alpecin-Deceuninck's Dutch rider Mathieu van der Poel (C) wearing the sprinter's green jersey reacts as he crosses the finish line of the 3rd stage of the 77th edition of the Criterium du Dauphine cycling race, 207,2 km between Brioude and Charantonnay, on June 10, 2025. (Photo by Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP) (Photo by ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT/AFP via Getty Images).

After a gruelling 207km day in the Critérium du Dauphiné breakaway, Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) said stage 3 from Brioude to Charantonnay was "one of the hardest days on the bike ever", which is some description for a man who makes his money dominating the Monuments of cycling.

Van der Poel was active from the flag drop in a rapid opening hour of climbing, with Louis Barré (Intermarché-Wanty) sparking the 13-rider breakaway that survived all the way to the finish, but the Dutchman was unable to take victory. 

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