Canadian Derek Gee gained his first professional tour victory when he took the third stage of the 2024 Critérium du Dauphiné on Tuesday, vaulting into the overall race lead.

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When Gee, an Israel Premier Tech rider, attacked uphill 500 meters from the finish of the 181.7-kilometer stage to Les Estables, the highest village in France's Massif Central, only Romain Gregoire could keep up.

The Frenchman swept into the lead, but Gee counter-attacked 100 meters from the line to collect victory.

"I've been waiting for a win in Europe," the 26-year-old Gee told Eurosport at the finish. "I've come second enough times. It was nice to finish it off."

Gee, who has won Canadian national time trial titles, came close repeatedly in last year's Giro, placing second in four stages.

He said Tuesday's attack was spontaneous.

"I wasn't planning on going there," he said. "It was just a lull and I had to take advantage of it."

Gee collected a 10-second time bonus for winning. He and Gregoire crossed the line three seconds clear of the leading contenders.

"I'm a bit disappointed, I almost believed it when I got in front at 300 meters, but he was simply stronger," said the 21-year-old Gregoire, who could console himself with the white jersey of best young rider, even if "it's not what I came for."

Gee moved to the top of the general classification, three seconds ahead of the previous leader Magnus Cort Nielsen. Gregoire climbed to third, a further two seconds back, with Primoz Roglic at seven seconds.

"That's pretty special," Gee said.

Wednesday's fourth stage is a flat 34.4-kilometer time trial that offers Roglic and Remco Evenepoel, the race headliners, a chance to test their form as they both return to racing two months after serious crashes in the Tour of the Basque Country.

The Slovenian, the reigning Olympic time trial champion, said he has had "good legs" since the start of the week, but he suffered a minor fall Tuesday.

Evenepoel, the reigning world time trial champion, said Wednesday's stage would be "a perfect test" of his recovery. He said that the opening stages left him "very tired" but that he is sleeping "a lot" and feeling that his body is "getting used to racing again."

The Soudal-Quick Step leader, who fractured a collarbone and shoulder blade in his crash in the Basque Country, wants to see how his body will cope with a 45-50-minute effort in an aerodynamic position.

"I don't know what the pain will be like," the Belgian said. "I hope I can push as hard as I can." 

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