'An incredible feeling' - Charmig hopes first WorldTour win can seal Tour selection

Anthon Charmig's only victory before success on Monday was back at the 2022 Tour of Oman. Since that triumph, he switched to XDS-Astana for two years before heading back 'home' to Uno-X Mobility for the 2026 season, where the 28-year-old had previously been a part of the development team. 

Charmig had already come close on occasion in 2026, with two top tens in the Tour Down Under and a fifth in Catalunya and several high-placed general classification finishes. 

"It's an incredible feeling," Charmig said after soloing to victory in Le Puy-en-Velay. "For me, I don't get that many chances each year, so, you know, when I have the chance, it's really an incredible feeling. I feel, you know, so happy to be here."

Charmig had been a part of a 10-man breakaway group that spent the whole day off the front before he soloed clear in the finale. This breakaway victory was the latest in a sequence for Uno-X Mobility after Fredrik Dversnes's breakaway victory on stage 15 of the Giro d'Italia and Magnus Cort's on the Volta a Catalyuna, making for a successful first campaign at WorldTour level.

"I think we've taken a big step this year and the whole team has really stepped up. And also, I think just the atmosphere in the team is really good," said Charmig. "We have so much fun together. I came straight from four weeks of altitude with the team, and yeah, we had a really good time. And I think for the motivation, it's a perfect environment." 

Stage 2 of the Dauphiné was a lengthy affair at 234km, and Charmig stated the key to victory was all about patience. "It was a really, really long stage, so it was all about saving energy for the last moment. On the second last climb, I knew it was a bit too long for my ability, so I really liked trying to be patient, not panicking when the guys went away."

Charmig will hope the performance will help to secure him a space on Uno-X's Tour de France roster. "Let's see," he said. "Hopefully, it's good for the team selection, but no, I think first of all, it's just about enjoying this victory."