"I could have been a bit more aggressive in the finale and I'll probably regret that later" - Hugo Page is not fully satisfied with third place in opening stage of Dauphine

Intermaché - Wanty lineup for Critérium du Dauphiné won't strike you as the most star-filled, but it can certainly punch above its weight. The team's sprinter Hugo Page went as an example to his teammates in the opening stage in Saint-Pourçain-sur-Sioule and arrived third in the bunch sprint, short only of Sam Bennett and winner Mads Pedersen. As a reward, Page will get to wear the white jersey for best young rider tomorrow.

"I came back very quickly from behind and in the end I finished third. I could have been a bit more aggressive in the finale and I'll probably regret that when I watch the video of the sprint this evening, especially as the team did the job properly, especially Vito who led me out. I'm still chasing my first World Tour victory and this was an opportunity, but it's still a great performance," Page is a bit harsh on himself in an analyze for the race organization.

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He continues more positively: "Above all, it's very encouraging because I'm coming out of a period where I've had a lot of problems, including crashes. It took me quite a long time to get back, but for the last two weeks I've been feeling really fit and I've programmed a peak in form to be at my best for the French championships and the Tour, because my team has assured me of my selection. It's a good dynamic and it gives me confidence. What's more, it will be nice to wear the white jersey of best young rider."

The next three stages will be all about survival for Page, who can set his eyes on the other opportunity for sprinters on fifth stage, day after the only time trial of Dauphiné. During the transfer from Amplepuis to Saint-Priest in France's third largest city Lyon, riders will face 2.300 meters of climbing, mostly concentrated in the first half of the stage while final 20 kilometers are pan flat.

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