Alexis Vuillermoz once again in glory "after two years of hardship"

TotalEnergies are having a strong season, despite the mishaps that have affected it's leaders Pierre Latour and Peter Sagan. Today at the Critérium du Dauphiné they've reached another objective, as Alexis Vuillermoz stormed to the stage win and race lead.

"A year ago, I fractured my pelvis, I was even afraid for my life. It's amazing. After two years of hardship I could have stopped my career, but despite everything, I wanted to come back," a thrilled Vuillermoz said in a post-race interview. A stage winner at the Tour de France, aswell as many other achievements throughout his career, the 34-year old had been away from the top step for over three years, which included a serious injury last season.

He's shown the potential over the season, namely finishing in the Top10 of Flèche Wallone, however it all clicked today. Despite not being able to make the difference on the climbs where he thrives, Vuillermoz managed to collaborate well enough with the day's breakaway into success, and took an impressive win in a sprint where he wasn't expected to be able to win - specially in such scenario. "All that was missing was the victory. This is the icing on the cake," pointed out emotionally.

He detailed the final sprint: "The sprint was a bit messy. I saw Olivier launch the sprint from very far away at 300 meters, he opened a small gap. I didn't think I would be able to come back, but I saw that he got stuck a little bit at the 50 meters." With the time difference over the peloton, he also managed to take on the yellow jersey, and will be leading the race overnight.

Tomorrow he will be defending his lead on the Massif Central, a hard task but a possible one for the Frenchman on the slopes of the climb to Sancy.