BORA-hansgrohe Team (France) - Press Release: Bittersweet day for BORA-hansgrohe as Lennard Kämna claims incredible first professional victory on Dauphiné Queen Stage, but Buchmann and Mühlberger abandon after crash.

No fewer than six tough categorised climbs dotted today’s Queen Stage of the Critérium du Dauphiné. The climbing started straightaway on the 153.5km route with a mix of first, second, third and Hors Catégorie climbs – the toughest being the Montée de Bisanne – while the finale would take place on the second category ascent into Megève. Bridging to an early break, Lennard Kämna joined the escapees, forming a group of fifteen that could have proved pivotal further up the road when the GC riders started making their moves. However, disaster struck on the descent of the Côte de Plan Bois after 29km when Emanuel Buchmann and Gregor Mühlberger went down and were forced to abandon the race, while Andreas Schillinger also withdrew from the race shortly afterwards. In spite of the upsets further back the road, the escape pushed on, with Lennard riding well, and while the break would stretch out and occasionally splinter, it would keep coming back together. The Montée de Bisanne was the real test and the young German stayed in the lead group, helping maintain their 2:45 advantage over the peloton. Dropping in number to eight but staying strong, having climbed and descended the day’s Hors Catégorie climb, the lead was still sitting at 2:40 with only the 13km final climb to go. Coming closer to the summit, with 4.7km remaining, Lennard went on the attack and none of the other riders could meet his surge in pace. Passing under the Flamme Rouge with 1km to go, he already knew the day’s outcome, taking an incredible victory with the 23-year-old punching the air as he crossed the line to take his first ever professional win. Emu and Gregor were taken to hospital for further examinations.

Results:

1. L. Kämna: 4:27:56

2. D. De la Cruz: +0:41

3. J. Alaphilippe: +0:56

10. P. Roglic: +3:01