Up to eight seasons Christophe Laporte (30 years old) was at Cofidis. From 2014 to 2022, adding the occasional victory (up to 21), but none of them in the World Tour category. Tests of a second level in which the corpulent French runner achieved meritorious successes, but behind the great stars of the international peloton. Everything changed in 2022 with his arrival in the Jumbo and his tremendous leap, in every way: performance, the way he runs… and, above all, his record. There are already nine hits in yellowfour this season, including two in the present Dauphiné.
Laporte, who wore the yellow jersey after prevailing on the opening day in a finish that stung slightly after a technical finish, was able to keep the precious garment on the second day (he made fourth) and in this third stage, a pure volata with several of today’s best sprinters, also managed to win. He is not a pure sprinter, but today Laporte is a total runner. His win was a shrewd runner, as he took perfect advantage of Bora’s work (especially Van Poppel’s) for Sam Bennett. In fact, the Irishman made a dangerous move across the road, but luckily nothing happened. Gronewegen made a gesture of complaint. Laporte followed his trajectory and celebrated.
Despite the fact that the profile, with a second-category climb and a small height in the 194 km, suggested that it was a day for fast menThe day was full of tension and numerous falls. In fact, there was practically no leak, because the reduced attempts, either alone or in pairs, barely had a margin. The peloton controlled at all times, some including scares, like Alaphilippe. Among all the mishaps, Zeits was the most affected, the only abandonment. Mas and Jorgenson were cut off after being affected by a fall near the finish line, but the judges awarded the Movistar team the same time as the rest. The overall favorites saved the day, because this Wednesday, in the test against the clock, they will have to show their best version.
There will be differences in 31.1 km
The time trial will leave the first differences in the general. It will be 31.1 km with broken terrain in its initial part and in the final part, and the last 10 km will be demanding. For the current times, it can be classified as a longer time trial than usual… (in the Tour and La Vuelta they will not be so long) and there will be a change of leader, announced by the wearer of the yellow jersey himself: “Yes, I understand that I will lose it, now it’s time to help Vingegaard.” And it is that the Dane is the big favorite for the final triumph, but there is a lot left. Meanwhile, the Jumbo already has 32 victories in 2023.
Third stage classification
1st Christophe Laporte (FRA/Jumbo) 4h 43:28
2nd Sam Bennett (IRL/Bora) mt
3rd Dylan Groenewegen (PBA/Jayco) mt
13º Jon Aberasturi (Trek) mt
General
1st Christophe Laporte (FRA/Jumbo) – 12:21:28
2nd Julian Alaphilippe (FRA/Soudal Quick-Step) – 11
3rd Richard Carapaz (ECU/EF) – 17
4th Rune Herregodts (Bél/Intermarché) – 29