Rune Herregodts "can't be disappointed" after giving everything at the Critérium du Dauphiné

Rune Herregodts spent almost the whole day in the breakaway on stage 1 of the Critérium du Dauphiné before being caught agonisingly close to the finish line.

"I knew the breakaway was promising. The Dauphiné usually offers opportunities, especially with a course like today," said the Intermarché-Circus-Wanty rider in his post-stage interview. "We rode away with a strong group, but we didn't get much space. They all gave 100 percent. That is also the only way to stay ahead."

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Despite the heartbreaking finale, Herregodts is determinedly positive about his ride. "In the final, my only goal was to make that last steep climb, and then to sprint in a thinned peloton," he explains. "However, I still had a ten second lead and noticed that I still had some left."

"At two kilometres I was told I had fifteen seconds left. Then I thought: this is possible. I gave everything to the finish," he continues. "That's why I can't be disappointed. I'm happy with the performance, but unfortunately, it wasn't enough." The stage was eventually won by Christophe Laporte with Herregodts holding on to finish 3rd.

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VIDEO: Heartbreaking finale to stage 1 of the Critérium du Dauphiné as Rune Herregodts heroic effort is in vain

Intermarché-Wanty

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Absolute heartbreak for Rune Herregodts, caught in the final meters 🥺 #Dauphiné He hang on to 3rd place but he'll be back!!! 🥉

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