Wout van Aert wins first stage of the Critérium du Dauphiné

Jumbo-Visma confirmed their status as the main team at the Critérium du Dauphiné as Wout van Aert sprinted to the win on the opening day. The Belgian was the fastest in the bunch sprint and has taken the yellow jersey.

Despite being a day where the breakaway could win, the group that formed the breakaway was small and never caused too much pressure in the peloton. Pierre Rolland (B&B Hotels-KTM), Maxime Bouet (Arkéa Samsic) and Laurens Huys (Intermarché - Wanty - Gobert Matériaux) had the exposure throughout the day, but were caught with 32 kilometers to go.

It was in the final climb of the day, where the pace wasn't too hard but Dylan Groenewegen didn't manage to stay with the peloton as some attacks came off the front. INEOS Grenadiers and Jumbo-Visma took control of the stage in favour of their sprinters, and a reduced bunch sprint was inevitable.

INEOS managed to do a strong leadout, but in the final sprint Wout van Aert had the superior speed and took the first win of the race, beating Ethan Hayter and Sean Quinn who completed the podium.