Stage 7 of the 2016 Critèrium du Dauphiné was another tough one. With six categorized climbs on the menu, Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka wanted to be part of the action to help Daniel Teklehaimanot claim back the Polka Dots jersey as the best climber of the race. In the end our African Team was able to celebrate, as the Eritrean star secured the jersey for the second year in a row.
Edvald Boasson Hagen was also able to get onto the podium, taking the overall in the points classification. In addition to that, Steve Cummings delivered the icing on the cake today with his stunning stage win.
The 151km long stage from Le Pont-de-Claix to Superdévoluy saw an early break of 20 riders. Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka had Teklehaimanot, who was equal on points with overnight KOM classification leader Thibaut Pinot, and Cummings in the group. The peloton, including all the GC contenders, didn’t let them get to far off the front. However, a gap of around two minutes was enough for Teklehaimanot to score the needed points in his fight for glory.
With roughly 70km to go Cummings attacked the break and took off alone. While his move split the former break, Daniel Teklehaimanot was able to stay in the chase group, allowing Cummings to increase his lead. Over the following kilometers, the British time trial specialist opened up a gap of over 2 min over the chasers. With 30km and two climbs to go the peloton was another 2min back.
.@DanielTeklehai1 is the 1st rider to win 2 Dauphiné polka dot jerseys in a row since…Virenque! (95-96) pic.twitter.com/1Skh5vFpaH
— Critérium du Dauphiné (@dauphine) June 12, 2016
Inside the final 15km the peloton, lead by Etixx-QuickStep, picked up the pace and reeled the chase back in. However, Cummings was able to defend his lead and crossed the line in Superdévoluy 3.58 min ahead of Daniel Martin (Etixx-QuickStep) and Roman Bardet (Ag2R).
While the overall went to Chris Froome (Sky), it was our African team, who put on a strong show at the Critérium du Dauphiné. With 2 stage wins, as well as the Green jersey and the Polka Dots jersey, Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka left its mark in the French Alps.
What a day!. @TeamDiData climbes the podium 3 times on the final day of the @dauphine: https://t.co/9wZiwkxbT2 pic.twitter.com/y480pl0nsf
— Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team (@Q36_5ProCycling) June 12, 2016
Jean-Pierre Heynderickx – Sports Director
It was an unreal day today, the best for Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka so far. Steve was really strong, it was a great solo. We also wanted to get the Polka Dot jersey back onto Daniel’s shoulders and were able to do so. With two stage wins through Edvald and Steve, and the wins in the Points classification through Edvald and the KOM classification through Daniel it was simply an amazing week!
