Canadian Derek Gee takes Dauphine lead after stage 3 win

Canadian Derek Gee gained his first professional tour victory when he took the third stage of the Criterium du Dauphine and taking the overall race lead too

When the Israel Premier Tech rider attacked uphill 500m from the finish of the 181.7-kilometre stage to Les Estables, the highest village in France's Massif Central, only Romain Gregoire could keep up. The Frenchman swept into the lead, but Gee counter-attacked 100m from the line to collect victory.

"I've been waiting for a win in Europe," the 26-year-old said at the finish. "I've come second enough times. It was nice to finish it off."

Gee, who has won Canadian national time trial titles, came close repeatedly in last year's Giro, placing second in four stages.

He said Tuesday's attack was spontaneous, "I wasn't planning on going there," he said. "It was just a lull and I had to take advantage of it."

Gee collected a 10-second time bonus for winning. He and Gregoire crossed the line three seconds clear of the leading contenders.

"I'm a bit disappointed, I almost believed it when I got in front at 300 metres but he was simply stronger," said the 21-year-old Gregoire, who could console himself with the white jersey of best young rider, even if "it's not what I came for".

Gee moved to the top of the general classification, three seconds ahead of the previous leader Magnus Cort Nielsen. Gregoire climbed to third, a further two seconds back, with Primoz Roglic at seven seconds.

"That's pretty special," said Gee.

Gee won the hearts of cycling fans around the world following his heroics at last year’s Giro d’Italia (where he finished second four times), so his win this afternoon has already proved to be incredibly popular.

He said: “This is definitely on a different level. It’s unbelievably special to win here - I’ve been waiting for a win in Europe, I’ve come second several times. It was nice to finish it off.”

Wednesday's fourth stage is a flat 34.4km time trial that offers Roglic and Remco Evenepoel, the race headliners, a chance to test their form as they both return to racing two months after serious crashes in the Tour of the Basque Country.

The Slovenian, the reigning Olympic time trial champion, said he has had "good legs" since the start of the week, but he suffered a minor fall on Tuesday.

Evenepoel, the reigning world time trial champion, said Wednesday's stage would be "a perfect test" of his recovery. He said that the opening stages left him "very tired" but that he is sleeping "a lot" and feeling that his body is "getting used to racing again".

The Soudal-Quick Step leader, who fractured a collarbone and shoulder blade in his crash in the Basque Country, wants to see how his body will cope with a 45-50 minute effort in an aerodynamic position.

"I don't know what the pain will be like. I hope I can push as hard as I can," the Belgian said.

HIGHLIGHTS: 2024 Criterium du Dauphine Stage 3

2024 Criterium du Dauphine Stage 3 Top 10

1  GEE Derek Israel - Premier Tech 4:22:18
2  GRÉGOIRE Romain Groupama - FDJ 0:00
3  NERURKAR Lukas EF Education - EasyPost 0:03
4  CICCONE Giulio Lidl - Trek 0:03
5  TEJADA Harold Astana Qazaqstan Team 0:03
6  BUITRAGO Santiago Bahrain - Victorious 0:03
7  VLASOV Aleksandr BORA - hansgrohe 0:03
8  CHAMPOUSSIN Clément Arkéa - B&B Hotels 0:03
9  JORGENSON Matteo Team Visma | Lease a Bike 0:03
10  ROGLIC Primož BORA - hansgrohe 0:03

2024 Criterium du Dauphine GC after Stage 3

1  GEE Derek Israel - Premier Tech 11:45:20
2  CORT Magnus Uno-X Mobility 0:03
3  GRÉGOIRE Romain Groupama - FDJ 0:04
4  ROGLIC Primož BORA - hansgrohe 0:07
5  JORGENSON Matteo Team Visma | Lease a Bike 0:09
6  NERURKAR Lukas EF Education - EasyPost ,,
7  CHAMPOUSSIN Clément Arkéa - B&B Hotels 0:13
8  CICCONE Giulio Lidl - Trek ,,
9  RODRÍGUEZ Carlos INEOS Grenadiers ,,
10  VLASOV Aleksandr BORA - hansgrohe ,,