Darren Rafferty (EF Education-EasyPost) has put in a very solid ride against the watch on stage 4 of Criterium du Dauphiné which has left the 20-year-old neo pro just outside the top 20 overall at the halfway point.
The big three on the stage today were world champion Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step), European champion Josh Tarling (Ineos Grenadiers) and Primož Roglič (Bora-hansgrohe), all finishing some way ahead of the opposition.
Tarling, who was first to finish, spent most of the day in the hotseat after a blistering 49.014km per hour average speed over the 34.4km course into Neulise. However, Evenepoel came through like a train later in the day to best Tarling's time by 17 seconds, with Roglič next at 39 seconds.
Rafferty placed 31st in the 150-rider field, finishing some 2:49 down on the winner after averaging 46.236km per hour. And that result has bumped him up the general classification, to 22nd place some 2:49 down on new race leader Evenepoel.
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That has set Rafferty up for an interesting few days ahead, with a tough final three days to come after tomorrow's stage 5, which may be one for the sprinters, including Sam Bennett. Today the Irish Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale rider was in 138th place at 26:55.
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Rafferty's team mate Neilson Powless was 7th on the stage today, at 1:24, and is also 7th overall, some 1:25 down on Evenepoel. That means Rafferty will likely be restricted by team duties, in support of Powless, in the days ahead.
⏱ A battle between the leaders was expected today on the time trial. ?? @EvenepoelRemco took the opportunity by claiming the stage victory and taking the Yellow Jersey as well.
? Here's the summary of this 4th stage of the #Dauphiné. pic.twitter.com/kSkmJdvGoM
— Critérium du Dauphiné (@dauphine) June 5, 2024
