"I don’t think anyone really expected the GC guys to light it up" - Jake Stewarts emerges from chaos behind to finish 5th
Cycling
Opening stage of Critérium du Dauphiné got ultimately swept by GC favourites who didn't hesitate to open fireworks on the last categorized climb of the day. Behind the leading four, Israel - Premier Tech's Jake Stewart jumped after the opportunity and as the fastest man from peloton crossed the line in fifth place.
"We always knew it would be chaos in the final but I don’t think anyone really expected the GC guys to try and light it up so it was interesting," explained Stewart in a press release. "Lidl – Trek were clearly keen for a sprint finish as well, with Milan, so we collaborated with them all day to control the race. Unfortunately, Acki [Ackermann] had a puncture going into the last lap so he handed it over to me for the sprint, and I’m happy with the result."
"Because the finish was so fast over the top, guys were probably expecting it to come back faster than it did. The guys in front clearly worked well together as well. We could see them around five or 10 seconds ahead as we hit the flamme rouge and Lutsenko did a really good pull for me there which I massively appreciate. It was close on the finish but it was a few meters too short in the end."
Despite this success, the 25-year-old Brit remains dedicated to supporting his original leader Pascal Ackermann who got caught up in the series of punctures in the finale of today's stage.
"I’m here to do the lead out with Acki and that’s the job that I prefer doing. I don’t really like the pressure so much when we start racing and I know it’s all for me for the final. But like today, or like what happened in Dunkirk, if the opportunity arises, then I’ll always take it, but we’re focused on Acki this week."
Ondrej ZhasilCycling Journalist
Ondřej Zhasil is a cycling journalist at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2023. He is based in Ostrava, the third-largest city in the Czech Republic, and covers professional cycling across the main UCI competitions, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España. A key focus of his work is startlist analysis and pre-race coverage, where he examines team selections, rider line-ups, and tactical scenarios ahead of major events.
Alongside WorldTour coverage, Ondřej has developed specific expertise in junior cycling and in racing across East Asia, including competitions in China and Japan. He also maintains a broad working knowledge of other disciplines and levels, including cyclocross, while continuing to expand his understanding of mountain bike racing.
Ondřej holds a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Physics, which supports his analytical, data-driven approach to performance and race analysis. In his reporting, he regularly uses ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available.
claps 1visitors 1
Just in
Popular news
Latest comments
- They do this but literally let cars on courses to run over riders.mij07-11-2026
- Looking at that photo she appears to be several feet from her. I’m not sure how that impeded brands sprint.mij07-11-2026
- I hope you are wrong but I suspect you will be proved correct. It might do something for Scottish tourism - although due to logistics the route skips the most spectacular parts of Scotland. It will bring in short term money no doubt, but will cycling overall in the U,K benifit? I doubt it. Even at £2 a litre the bits love thei cars,Cyclingsbestfan07-11-2026
- Lucky to not get disqualified
leedorney07-11-2026 - The road from Holyrood to Edinburgh Castle is a nice steady climb of just over a mile that is cobbled in many parts. (Very slippery if wet!) If the teams are going by one by one that will give fans an even better view of the riders up close than the castle esplanade.Cyclingsbestfan07-11-2026
- wtf dudemij07-11-2026
- big rival … ridiculous.Ketterechts07-11-2026
- It would be great if the World Champion's jersey could be rotated among McNulty, Simmons, and Jorgenson. They threaded the needle perfectly. If each hadn't done exactly what he did, exactly when he did it, the race would have gone to one of the more heralded superstars. That said, how nice that this humble and hardworking guy gets his moment in the sun.
MarkFour07-11-2026 - This is a really interesting idea, which, if well prepared could even be very successful. Very little money needs to be involved for a first season and any success could lead to rapid interest from sponsors.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Hmmm, you seem to have a very convenient black and white view of things. Perhaps you haven’t been around much to discover how complex problems can become over time with people who know how to control, manipulate (or worse) others so gradually or subtly that you arrive at an irresolvable situation before you realise. This is how many inconveniences get introduced to the young, naïve, passionate or “desperate”, knowing they are not armed, protected or strong enough to defend themselves once it’s too late. Why do you think omerta culture is so widespread, why do you think so many people continue to go through so many awful things in life that others can’t understand anyone getting into? Life may be far more jolly for you but you would do well to understand (or reflect more on) the real world to refrain from being so quick to criticise those in a hard spot that may have genuine reason for speaking out.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
Loading
Write a comment