"I don’t think anyone really expected the GC guys to light it up" - Jake Stewarts emerges from chaos behind to finish 5th

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."