Chris Froome wins Criterium du Dauphine opener
Defending Criterium du Dauphine champion Chris Froome takes early race lead with dominant display in time trial
Chris Froome (Sky) produced a typically dominant time trial performance to win stage one of the Criterium du Dauphine on Sunday.
The defending champion was the last man out, and managed to demolish everyone else’s time, finishing eight seconds ahead of Alberto Contador (Tinkoff-Saxo) despite the relatively short length (10.4km) of the stage.
Froome, Contador and Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) are the favourites for the race and were the last three to finish today. At the intermediate time check halfway through, surprisingly it was Nibali who posted the quickest time, but he faded to finish eighth.
Contador then posted a new best time at the finish, before Froome – who sped up in the second half – defeated everyone.
Earlier, Bob Jungels (Trek) had led for most of day. He even passed his minute man to move ahead of Dutch duo Wilco Kelderman and Lars Boom (both Belkin) on the leaderboard.
He was pushed close by the likes of Jan Barta (NetApp) and Andrew Talansky (Garmin), and Britain’s Geraint Thomas (Sky) led at the intermediate time split, before fading in the second half of the course to ultimately finish 16th.
Jungels’ time held until the final two minutes, when first Contador then Froome, pushed him down into third.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Other impressive performances were produced by Tejay van Garderen (BMC), who finished ninth just thirteen seconds downs, and Jurgen Van Den Broeck (Lotto-Belisol), who appears to be recovering from his long-term fitness problems with a 17th place finish.
Sky’s Riche Porte may, however, be a little disappointed with his 23rd, 19 seconds down on teammate Froome.
Tomorrow is another potentially important day in the GC, as riders tackle the difficult Col du Beal.
Results
Criterium du Dauphine 2014, stage one: Lyon to Lyon, 10.4km time trial
1. Chris Froome (GBr) Team Sky in 13-13
2. Alberto Contador (Spa) Tinkoff-Saxo in 8 secs
3. Bob Jungels (Ned) Trek Factory Racing at 9 secs
4. Andrew Talansky (USA) Garmin-Sharp at 11 secs
5. Wilco Kelderman (Ned) Belkin at 11 secs
6. Lars Boom (Ned) Belkin at 12 secs
7. Vasili Kiryienka (Blr) Team Sky at 12 secs
8. Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Astana at 13 secs
9. Tejay Van Garderen (USA) BMC Racing Team at 13 secs
10. Matthias Brandle (Aut) IAM Cycling at 13 secs
Other
16. Geraint Thomas (GBr) Team Sky at 14 secs
64. Adam Yates (GBr) Orica-GreenEdge at 39 secs
74. David Millar (GBr) Garmin-Sharp at 42 secs
125. Scott Thwaites (GBr) NetApp-Endura at 16 secs
Overall classification after stage one
1. Chris Froome (GBr) Team Sky in 13-13
2. Alberto Contador (Spa) Tinkoff-Saxo in 8 secs
3. Bob Jungels (Ned) Trek Factory Racing at 9 secs
4. Andrew Talansky (USA) Garmin-Sharp at 11 secs
5. Wilco Kelderman (Ned) Belkin at 11 secs
6. Lars Boom (Ned) Belkin at 12 secs
7. Vasili Kiryienka (Blr) Team Sky at 12 secs
8. Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Astana at 13 secs
9. Tejay Van Garderen (USA) BMC Racing Team at 13 secs
10. Matthias Brandle (Aut) IAM Cycling at 13 secs
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Stephen Puddicombe is a freelance journalist for Cycling Weekly, who regularly contributes to our World Tour racing coverage with race reports, news stories, interviews and features. Outside of cycling, he also enjoys writing about film and TV - but you won't find much of that content embedded into his CW articles.
-
Tour of Britain uncertainty stalls RideLondon Classique expansion plan
Organiser planned to add extra stage to this year's race, but question marks over the Tour of Britain Women has meant plans have been cancelled
By Jeremy Whittle Published
-
One for the style aficionados: Millie Skinner's Handsling A1R0 Evo
Brilliant blue, complete with 42mm wheels and tan walled tyres
By Joe Baker Published
-
Bullying isn't allowed in other workplaces, professional sport should be no different
Comments about Julian Alaphilippe are just the latest in a long line of examples of bosses in sport going too far
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
‘I feel lucky to be alive’: Magnus Sheffield speaks for the first time about Gino Mäder’s fatal crash
The American describes what he saw at the Tour de Suisse, eight months after the tragedy
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Tom Pidcock: Tour of Britain route 'not really ideal for me'
Brit says he wants to win home stage race, even if the course plays in Wout van Aert's favour
By Tom Davidson Published
-
This 39-year-old INEOS Grenadiers rider moonlights as a pro triathlete
A Jack of all trades, Cameron Wurf is a domestique for INEOS Grenadiers professional cycling team, but doubles as a successful pro triathlete.
By Kristin Jenny Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers' only female rider Pauline Ferrand-Prévot eyes road return
Mountain bike legend could be back in the peloton next year
By Tom Davidson Published
-
CW Live: Chris Froome targets return to 'top level'; UCI tightens ITT rules; Strava responds to price hike criticism; Topless protesters arrested at TDU; Tributes paid to Lieuwe Westra; Scott recalls 'cracking' bikes; Toon Aerts the PE teacher
The latest news in the world of cycling
By Tom Davidson Last updated
-
CW LIVE: Wout van Aert and Shirin van Anrooij win cyclo-cross in Koksijde; Rapha unveil EF Education kits; Police search for two suspects in Mark Cavendish robbery; Paris-Nice route announced; Chris Froome and Geraint Thomas to ride Tour Down Under
All the latest in the world of cycling
By Tom Davidson Last updated
-
Egan Bernal has nose operation to help 'air passage' ahead of 2023
Procedure not thought to be connected to the life-threatening crash which affected Colombian last year
By Adam Becket Published