For Remco Evenepoel, yesterday's stage ended like Friday's. The Belgian had started with positive sensations, feeling good, but then the situation became more difficult and he had to give in to his rivals. Evenepoel finished fifth, 2'39" behind Pogacar and now Soudal – Quick Step must accept the situation. Pogacar and Vingegaard are currently too strong compared to others and even compared to a champion like Evenepoel, but it must be said that this is the Dauphine and not the Tour, and there are still several weeks to work well.

Speaking yesterday in the Soudal-Quick Step camp was team manager Tom Steels, who is convinced that the situation is not too worrying and that at the Tour there will be margins to fight for victory.

"We must not be dramatic. First of all, Remco is still fourth in the general classification and this is not bad and should be seen as a good result," Steels explained. "Moreover, we must not forget that he is racing against the winners of the last 4 Tour editions and they are therefore exceptional. If Pogacar and Vingegaard were not here, then Remco would simply be fighting for victory and the situation would be completely different."

Unfortunately, however, the Dane and the Slovenian are at the Dauphine, and it must be said that in the general classification ahead of Remco is also Florian Lipowitz.

"When you go racing, you always arrive with a certain expectation and you always hope to win. But if it doesn't work, it doesn't work. This is what happened. Now we know where we stand. And for me, this says nothing about what the Tour will bring. There are still a few weeks left. It really makes no sense to throw everything away or not stick to the plan: after this Dauphine, we will start the final work towards the Tour and then we'll see."

Soudal – Quick Step is certain that the important results they have been working on for some time will arrive and that Remco can truly get close to Pogacar and Vingegaard.

"For us, it is absolutely realistic that he can stand next to those two within three or four weeks," Steels continued. "This Dauphine is a very tough race. He will benefit from it, and there is no doubt that he will take another step forward."