2021 Criterium du Dauphine

After Two Near Misses, Colbrelli Wins Dauphine Stage 3

After Two Near Misses, Colbrelli Wins Dauphine Stage 3

Sonny Colbrelli broke through at the Criterium du Dauphine in an uphill sprint in Saint-Haon-le-Vieux.

Jun 1, 2021
After Two Near Misses, Colbrelli Wins Dauphine Stage 3

Sonny Colbrelli finally broke through at the Criterium du Dauphine on Tuesday overhauling Alex
Aranburu in an uphill sprint in Saint-Haon-le-Vieux.

Austrian Lukas Pöstlberger of Bora Hansgrohe retained the yellow jersey ahead of
Wednesday's 16.4km time trial.

Colbrelli had shown he was the strongest sprinter in the peloton in the
first two stages. But on both days, the Italian had to settle for second after
his Bahrain Victorious team failed to haul in the last breakaway rider.

"After two second places, today I'm very happy for this victory," Colbrelli
said at the finish.

The peloton caught the day's breakaway with 20km to go on a flat 172.2 km
ride. Despite a crash late in the stage, the pack was all together as it hit the
final uphill drag.

Alex Aranburu of Astana surged clear with 300 metres to go but Colbrelli reacted
at once and gave chase. In a slow-motion battle up the slope, the Italian drew level with 100m to
go and gradually pulled clear. American Brandon McNulty of UAE Team Emirates came through to grab third  

"It was a very hard last kilometre," said Colbrelli. "I followed Aranburu's
wheel but it was tough to pass him."

Colbrelli increased his lead in the points classification and the bonus
seconds he collected took him to two seconds behind Pöstlberger in the overall
classification.