Cycling: Australian Richie Porte wins the Critérium du Dauphiné

The Australian Richie Porte (Ineos) is the big winner of the Critérium du Dauphiné.

This cycling race is often seen as a rehearsal before the Tour de France.

In the final standings, Porte beat Kazakh Alexey Lutsenko, second at 17 seconds.

His Welsh teammate Geraint Thomas, winner of the Tour de France 2018, was third, at 29 seconds.

Ukrainian Mark Padun (Bahrain) won the 8th and final stage, his second success in two days in the mountains.

On the French side, David Gaudu, who leveled off with Porte and Thomas in Joux-Plane, took 9th place in the final standings.

"I am on cloud nine"

Third in the Tour de France last year, Porte won for the first time in the Dauphiné, four years after losing victory on the last day.

The 36-year-old Australian took over from Colombian Daniel Martinez, who won the previous edition last August ahead of Frenchman Thibaut Pinot.

This victory is the 33rd of his professional career at the highest level, which started in 2010. "This victory means a lot to me. I have always loved this race, so winning it at 36 is important. I finished twice 2nd in the general classification, I also lost the title in the last kilometers in 2017, so finally winning here, I'm on cloud nine, "he said.

"With all the sacrifices that all this places on my wife and my two children, I deserve it. The team was incredible today. I know the descent of Joux-Plane well, I have done it many times . I decided to go down at my own pace, then saw Geraint fall. Of course it wasn't ideal, but he managed to come back. "

Thomas fell on the descent from Joux-Plane, less than 10 kilometers from the finish, but was able to regain his place in the group of favorites.

Padun happy winner of the stage

For his part, 24-year-old Padun won once again the day after his victorious climb from La Plagne. The Ukrainian soared, winged climber, from the first slopes of Joux-Plane, an uncategorized pass of 11.6 kilometers with 8.5% average slope. He rocked to the top with more than a minute and a half ahead of his pursuers (Konrad, Vingegaard) and managed the very technical descent. 

"I'm in a dream, it's amazing! I tried to forget about my victory yesterday (Saturday), to focus on this stage. The plan was to go into the breakaway and help Jack Haig for the general classification. Once the breakaway started, I took the points for the polka dot jersey. With more than two minutes at the foot of the last pass, everything was going very well. I never felt so good good on the bike. Physically I suffered, but mentally I was very well. I am a young runner, I had a lot of weight problems in the past, but since the last high camp I have very good legs, ”said Padun.