What was supposed to be a sprinter's stage on paper turned into a thrilling battle between the big names in world cycling. The first stage of the Critérium du Dauphiné, finishing in Montluçon after 195 km, saw a surprise finale when Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) lit the fuse 7 km from the finish on the Côte de Buffon.

The Dane's move set off a chain reaction, with Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) - who had said he just wanted to 'survive' the stage - ready to respond. A five-rider elite group formed with Pogačar, Vingegaard, Mathieu van der Poel, Remco Evenepoel and Santiago Buitrago.

Pogačar: 'I just followed the wheels'

The eventual winner Pogačar, with his usual irony, commented: 'I don't remember attacking. I just followed the wheels today.' The Slovenian was nevertheless happy with his rival's initiative: 'It's a good sign. Vingegaard is fit, he wants to ride and have fun on the bike.'

'Everyone was in great condition. Van der Poel was great to stay with us on such a steep climb, basically among pure climbers. It was a really interesting finale,' added Pogačar, who also joked: 'Maybe I should be a little scared now because everyone is so strong.'

This first direct confrontation between Pogačar, Vingegaard and Evenepoel since the last Grande Boucle opens up interesting scenarios for July. 'The pressure for the Tour is always there and it increases every year,' concluded the Slovenian. 'My season so far is perfect, on the one hand this relieves the pressure, on the other it increases it. But if I don't win the Tour, I would still have had a great season. Maybe this allows me to be more relaxed.'