🎉🥇 YES!!! @mikkelbbjerg wins #Dauphiné 🇫🇷 stage 4 ITT and takes the race lead💛! His first success as a pro! 💪💪💪 #UAETeamEmirates #WeAreUAE
"I have worked so hard for this" - Mikkel Bjerg takes emotional first career win at the Critérium du Dauphiné
CyclingWednesday, 07 June 2023 at 18:00
After taking the first professional victory of his career on the stage 4 individual time-trial at the Critérium du Dauphiné, an emotional Mikkel Bjerg addressed the press to give his initial reaction.
“It is my first professional victory, I have worked so hard for this. I'm relieved to finally have it in the bag," says the 24-year-old UAE Team Emirates rider who edged out his Danish compatriot and pre-stage favourite, Jonas Vingegaard by 12 seconds to secure the victory.
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“I've had the chance to do it so many times, but I could never live up to my own expectations. Even this morning I doubted myself. I said the track was too hard. My manager told me to just go for it because I had nothing to lose. I'm so happy," continues Bjerg. “Behind the scenes, everyone worked very hard on the time trial equipment last winter. The team pushed the sponsors and the sponsors did a really good job. We now have very fast bikes and fast clothes. It is now up to the riders to shine.”
As an added bonus, he now takes the overall lead of the race although it's doubtful he'll be able to keep a hold of hit once the race enters the mountains. "I told my coach Kevin yesterday that I wanted to go for the leader's jersey and the stage win. He must have thought I was crazy, but he believed in me. We came up with a plan and I was able to make it happen.”
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