“Derek, go!” » The cry intended for Derek Gee came from the mouth of Hugo Houle. With a kilometer to go, the Quebecer from Israel-Premier Tech (IPT) had just understood that his teammate Dylan Teuns did not have the legs to get involved in the final battle.
Houle, who was watching over the placement of the Belgian puncher, therefore made it known through the earpiece to his compatriot Gee, on the lookout after a solo attack from his Latvian colleague Krists Neilands.
In this uphill finale, the peloton of around 80 riders was well stretched. When Matteo Sobrero, teammate of Primož Roglič (Bora-Hansgrohe), took over Neilands’ wheel less than 500 m from the finish, Gee didn’t do anything and jumped out of his saddle. Only Romain Grégoire (Groupama-FDJ) was able to follow, allowing himself to overtake the Ottawa cyclist in the process.
Victory seemed promised to the young Frenchman, disgusted by his ninth place the day before when he believed he “had the legs to win”. Normally, the one who got caught is done. Now Gee, surprised not to be swallowed up by a wave of pursuers, had not said his last word.
The ex-track rider got back in Grégoire’s wake, made four or five pedal strokes and, at the cost of a final effort, produced a second acceleration less than 150 m from the line, leaving Grégoire without answer. After cutting the wire, Gee raised his arms, as ecstatic as he was surprised.
“When the guy went around me, I was sure I had lost the stage,” the winner said on the phone two hours later. I was super lucky because even though the road went uphill for seven kilometers, the last 300 meters was flat. »
When [Romain Grégoire] passed, I smoothed out my effort and was able to enjoy a little aspiration before sprinting. I’m glad I continued!
Derek Gee
This exceptional sense of anticipation and this second effort which was no less exceptional allowed him to win the third stage of the Critérium du Dauphiné, Tuesday in Estables. This first victory in the World Tour gives him the opportunity to wear the famous yellow leader’s jersey in the colors of Crédit Lyonnais, the same as in the Tour de France.
Gee wore the precious luminous tunic until he returned to the hotel, when he called back The Press. “It’s a feeling that’s hard to describe. I’m overwhelmed right now with all the messages. It’s a pretty special feeling! »
The 26-year-old athlete was able to share it with his fiancée, ex-cyclist Ruby West, who was waiting for him in the finish area, looking as amazed as her lover. “I think I chose my day well to win!” Gee joked.
“Very cool to run with Hugo”
This victory allows him to erase the bittersweet memory of his four second places in heartbreaking stages at the 2023 Giro, his very first grand tour.
“You always have imposter syndrome, especially after the Giro,” he admitted to the international broadcaster.
“Hats off to the team, who always believed in me. It’s sometimes a little harder to believe in yourself when you’ve had such a good three weeks. You return to your old level and ask yourself: “Was it a fluke, everything lined up perfectly last year?” »
It’s good for confidence to be able to confirm [mon potentiel] This year.
Derek Gee
The two-time Canadian time trial champion was not surprised to learn that the injunction to counter-attack following Neilands came from Houle: “Honestly, it’s very cool to race with Hugo! He was fantastic all week. »
The Quebecer tipped his hat to his compatriot, emphasizing his composure in a crucial moment.
PHOTO DAVID STOCKMAN, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE ARCHIVES
The cyclist Hugo Houle
“It’s exceptional, what he did today,” he praised. He demonstrated that he was in very good physical condition. The forcing he did in the finale is impressive. He created his opportunity and managed it well. »
Like the day before when he worked to chase away fugitives, Houle rode at the head of the peloton to position Teuns and Gee well as they approached the final climb. “I’m satisfied, I did a good job all day. From the start, we perhaps had our sights set on a breakaway. We had to see how the stage would develop. But Uno-X [du meneur Magnus Cort] managed the race very well. I’m happy with my shape. »
With a priority of three seconds over Cort, but above all seven over Roglič, winner in 2022, and nine over the American Matteo Jorgenson (Jumbo), the new leader will do everything possible to keep his yellow jersey at the The outcome of the 34.4 km individual time trial on Wednesday.
“A little late” for the Olympics?
Gee is the first Canadian to win at the Dauphiné since David Veilleux, who won the first stage and wore yellow for three days in 2013. This feat earned the Cap-Rouge cyclist a selection for the Tour de France, a first for a native of Quebec.
Victim of a broken collarbone and hand and a concussion following a fall at the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, which caused him to miss two months of competition, Gee hopes that his performance at the Dauphiné will also benefit him a first invitation to the Tour de France.
His triumphs at the Giro and the Dauphiné were achieved just before and after the selection period for the Paris Olympic Games (1er June 2023 to May 31, 2024).
“It’s a little late because the selection is being made today,” Gee resigned himself. We don’t yet know who is going there. I hope the email comes in and says I’ll be there. »
In the eyes of Houle, who was also waiting for news from Cycling Canada, Gee “showed that he is in good shape at the moment”. “He is certainly a very serious candidate. »
If he were the coach, would he take it? “Yes,” replied Houle after a short hesitation. He deserves to go there, that’s for sure, in terms of power. Afterwards, it’s very hard to determine which leader they want. It will then be a matter of choosing the runners accordingly. »
Michael Woods and Guillaume Boivin are the other two contenders for the two positions available in Paris.
Unless you are sequestered like a jury in deliberation, it is difficult to imagine that the selection committee will not have heard about what happened on Tuesday in the heights of the Massif Central…
Late in the afternoon, director of high performance services Kris Westwood indicated that there was a “slight delay” in notifying athletes to ensure that members of the selection committee could “have the time to review the material. Cyclists will be notified of the selection on Wednesday, while it will be publicly revealed in coordination with the Canadian Olympic Committee around June 25.