Rene Hellegotz (Intermarché Circus Wanty) came very close to missing out on victory in the first stage of the Criterium du Dauphiné.

The Belgian was the last remaining rider in a five-man breakaway that formed shortly after the start of the 158km stage around Chambon-sur-Lac. After his breakaway companions buckled up, Helegotz rode solo through the third and final finishing loop of the stage, the Côte du Rocher de Ségur (1 km, 6.1%).

"I knew there was a chance for a breakaway on this stage. So I was able to break away with a strong group, but I didn't gain much advantage. On this course you have to attack from the first lap. My breakaway mates fell one by one," Heregotz told CyclingPronet at the finish line.

"The only goal was to make the steep climb at the end.

Hoping for a repeat of his victory on the first stage of the 2022 Ruta del Sol, where he held off a group of riders, Heregotz refused to give up. He dove into the finish descent, risking everything in his quest for glory. With 15 km to go, he had a 15-second gap and entered the last kilometer with a small margin.

"With a 10-second gap in the last 2 km, I knew I had to go all out. But that's life and that's cycling. I took a chance and it wasn't enough. Maybe the peloton underestimated me. Once you are known, it becomes more and more difficult," Helegotz said in another interview.

But the peloton, led by 2022 Tour de France winner Jonas Vingegaard and his Jumbo Visma team, barely edged out Christophe Laporte.

The 24-year-old came within a hair's breadth of victory, finishing third surrounded by the peloton's best sprinters and taking the best young rider jersey as well.

"I am happy with the white jersey and third place, but it was not what I was expecting in the last kilometer! If Jumbo Visma says it cost the whole team, that's an honor, but I wanted Jonas Vingegaard to say, 'I'm a GC rider, I'm not pulling! They are too good a team.'