The peloton didn’t have time to break free in this short, but well-seasoned mountain stage. From the start it was uphill with the ascent of the mythical Galibier. Polka Dot Rolland continued to attack stubbornly until he drifted away from the pack.
The combative Rolland tangled in the descent with seventeen others, including three Belgians. However, Huys, Stuyven and Devenyns would not play a major role. On the Croix de Fer, the second Alpine giant of the day, Donovan put in his gear. Yellow jersey Van Aert had to let go of the role in the peloton, which gave in to the refugees for about four minutes.
On top of the Croix de Fer, the situation looked different again. Donovan had blown himself up and Mühlberger paved the way for Verona, his teammate at Movistar. Only a nervously gesticulated Elissonde could join the Spaniard.
At the foot of the Montée de Vaujany, the feather-light Elissonde actually had the advantage, but it was Verona who pulled away. While the latter plowed diligently on the steep sections, Vingegaard opened for Roglic. The Slovenian took over powerfully, but stranded a few hectometers from Verona. Roglic did take over the yellow from Van Aert.
“This victory gives me an indescribable feeling,” said Carlos Verona. “I am a very emotional person. In advance it was stated within the team that I could take my chance. And of course I was only too happy to take that chance.”
“It really has become my day. Even though I seriously gave up here. Only 200 meters before the finish did I dare to dream of victory. Never before. This victory is one of and for the team and also one for my family.”
On the palmares of Carlos Verona, the zero next to UCI victories is now erased. The Spaniard already finished second in the second stage in the Vuelta in 2021. In 2020 he finished third in the eighth stage of the Tour between Cazères and Loudenville.
“I am certainly not a winner. We had explored the final of this stage in the Dauphiné with the team a while ago. That of course helped. This victory should and will give me a lot of confidence for the future,” concluded Verona.
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