The hero of the opening stage of the Critérium du Dauphiné, Rune Herregodts, offered himself a distinctive jersey after his breakaway of 150 kilometer thanks to his third place. This Monday, the 24 year old Belgian riders lined up for the start of the second stage in Brassac-les-Mines with the white jersey of the young rider's classification on his shoulders.
Well protected all day, he reached the finish line in La Chaise-Dieu 167 kilometer later in the peloton, in the same time as the winner Julian Alaphilippe who was the fastest in the sprint.
At the end of the stage, Herregodts is fourth in the general classification, six seconds behind yellow jersey Christophe Laporte. He keeps his white jersey and will wear it in the third stage of a little less than 200 kilometer, which suits the fast riders.
"After my big breakaway and incredible final yesterday, I was again ready mentally this morning. I wished for another outcome than third place, but I quickly forgot my disappointment because I didn't have regrets and I received many messages with congratulations. Physically, it was different. It took a long time before the breakaway was composed and I could feel it in the legs, especially because the start was uphill. In the final it was very nervous and the five last kilometers were full gaz. I did what I could to follow and I managed to finish in the same time as the winner thanks to the support of my teammates. To be again on the podium with the white jersey in such a prestigious race is a privilege. It is an important race before the Tour de France, so competition is high. I hope to keep the jersey tomorrow and why not a couple of days longer, it would make me very happy."
