"The jersey helps when you don't have your pacing quite right" - Derek Gee fights valiantly on Criterium du Dauphine ITT but must give up Maillot Jaune
Cycling
After taking the Maillot Jaune at the 2024 Criterium du Dauphine with a sensational stage 3 victory, Derek Gee fought with all his might to keep a hold on the race lead in the stage 4 individual time-trial but eventually had to pass on the lead to Remco Evenepoel.
Despite losing the Maillot Jaune, Gee left everyone impressed by his valiant efforts as the Canadian crossed the line in 6th position, 1:24 down on the stage winner Evenepoel and enough to keep himself in the mix and the top of the general classification in 4th at 1:11 down on the Soudal - Quick-Step leader after four stages of racing done.
''I am super happy with this time trial. However, I did have a difficult start. Luckily it wasn't on camera, but I completely missed the second corner. After that, I was completely in panic mode," laughed the 26-year-old in his post-stage interview. "When I learned at the finish line that I had finished sixth, I was quite surprised. I had no idea on the road that I was riding well. Personally, I felt I had blown myself up at the start."
As has been showcased by riders many times in the past, something about wearing the Maillot Jaune just gives a rider that little something extra. "The jersey helps when you don't have your pacing quite right. It turned out to be my salvation," Gee admits honestly, having clearly enjoyed his day in yellow. "It was very special, indescribable. I enjoyed my day."
"I'm very happy with my level this year," Gee, who is likely to make his Tour de France debut at the end of the month, concludes. "Before this race I did my first altitude training. It helped a lot, I am very happy with the level I am achieving this year."
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Kieran WoodDeputy Editor-in-Chief
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He regularly contributes to DartsNews.com and CyclingUpToDate.com, where he covers professional cycling and darts. In cycling, his work includes liveblogs from major races, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, alongside race reports and analysis. He has also conducted interviews with professional riders.
His reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis. For statistics, results, and historical context, he regularly uses resources such as ProCyclingStats. To support reporting on rider activity and training context where relevant, he also references Strava.
In his work, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.
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- The UCI do have their favorites.
Front24208-11-2026 - On a positive note, you maybe notice turning this topic into a discussion has the benefit of eliminating certain participants who do not see how they can turn it back to their sole interest ;-)Jumpyjohn08-11-2026
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That’s how you honor the yellow jersey 💛 @DerekGee7 produces the time trial of his life to finish sixth, 1:24 behind stage winner Remco Evenepoel. He sits fourth on GC going into stage 5. #Dauphiné 🇫🇷 #YallaIPT
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