Nacer Bouhanni wins Critérium du Dauphiné stage one
Nacer Bouhanni beats Jens Debusschere and Sam Bennett to the line in Saint Vulbas to win his third Critérium du Dauphiné stage
Nacer Bouhanni (Cofidis) battled his way to victory on stage one of the Critérium du Dauphiné in Saint-Vulbas, sprinting past Sam Bennett (Bora-Argon 18) and Jens Debusschere (Lotto-Soudal) for the win.
The final kilometre of the race was a running battle between Bouhanni's Cofidis team and Alexander Kristoff's Katusha, with heads butted as both squads vied for prime real estate on the straight road to the finish.
It was Bennett who opened his sprint first, but Bouhanni bided his time and sped past the Irishman in the final 50 metres to notch his third Dauphiné win.
Just two riders got themselves out in the breakaway early in the day - Mitch Docker (Orica-GreenEdge) and Frederik Backaert (Wanty-Groupe Gobert) had a lead of over five minutes at one stage.
Docker dropped off with around 25 to go and Backaert was caught 10km later as the sprint teams got into position, desperate not to miss the only real bunch sprint opportunity of the week.
Crosswinds forced the overall contenders to hit the front, making the front of the peloton a nervy place, with the back of the bunch very strung out.
Chris Froome (Team Sky), wearing the polka dot jersey after the prologue, averted crisis twice in a matter of seconds, nearly clashing with riders either side of him as his team tried to keep him safe at the end.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Froome's wobbles were just the start of the action as Katusha and Cofidis butted heads in the final kilometre as the two sprint trains tangled at the front of the bunch. Bouhanni spent much of his time with his head on Kristoff's shoulder before Bennett launched his sprint.
Following the Irishman, Bouhanni blocked Kristoff's route around his final Katusha lead-out man meaning the Norwegian couldn't contest the sprint.
Crossing the line first, Bouhanni threw a few air punches in celebration - not in homage to the handbags that preceded the sprint, but in memory of boxer Muhammad Ali who died at the weekend.
Tuesday's stage two is one for the puncheurs, with a modest uphill finish in Chalmazel.
Results
Critérium du Dauphiné 2016 stage one, Cluses - Saint-Vulbas (186km)
1. Nacer Bouhanni (Fra) Cofidis, in 4-27-53
2. Jens Debusschere (Bel) Lotto-Soudal
3. Sam Bennett (Irl) Bora-Argon18
4. Edvald Boasson Hagen (Nor) Dimension Data
5. Jonas Vangenechten (Bel) IAM Cycling
6. Moreno Hofland (Ned) LottoNL-Jumbo
7. Tony Hurel (Fra) Direct Energie
8. Sondre Holst Enger (Nor) IAM Cycling
9. Daryl Imprey (RSA) Orica-GreenEdge
10. Edward Theuns (Bel) Wanty-Groupe Gobert, all same time
Critérium du Dauphiné 2016, overall standings after stage one
1. Alberto Contador (Esp) Tinkoff, in 4-39-29
2. Richie Porte (Aus) BMC, at 6s
3. Chris Froome (GBr) Team Sky, at 13s
4. Daniel Martin (Irl) Etixx-Quick Step, at 21s
5. Julian Alaphilippe (Fra) Etixx-Quick Step, at 24s
6. Wout Poels (Ned) Team Sky, at 25s
7. Romain Bardet (Fra) Ag2r La Mondiale, at 29s
8. Adam Yates (GBr) Orica-GreenEdge, at 31s
9. Diego Rosa (Ita) Astana, at 37s
10. José Herrada (Esp) Movistar, at 39s
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
Stuart Clarke is a News Associates trained journalist who has worked for the likes of the British Olympic Associate, British Rowing and the England and Wales Cricket Board, and of course Cycling Weekly. His work at Cycling Weekly has focused upon professional racing, following the World Tour races and its characters.
-
I'm about to turn 40 - how can I keep riding fast?
Approaching a landmark birthday, Charlie Graham-Dixon explores how ageing affects cycling performance and what can be done to stay ahead of the curve
By Charlie Graham-Dixon Published
-
Life Time Grand Prix to have fewer riders and wild cards in 2025
The flagship US gravel series has confirmed the six races that will be a part of the competition next year
By Adam Becket Published
-
Primož Roglič seals the overall victory at the Critérium du Dauphiné after late scare on the Plateau des Glières
Carlos Rodríguez wins the final stage of the race with an attack on the climb to Plateau des Glières
By Joseph Lycett Published
-
Remco Evenepoel struggles for form in the mountains as Primož Roglič affirms Tour de France favourite status
'The shape is just not there' says Soudal - Quick-Step leader, while Roglič on track for Tour success after two stage wins at Critérium du Dauphiné
By Dan Challis Published
-
Primož Roglič victorious in brutal Critérium du Dauphiné queen stage
Bora-Hansgrohe leader sprints to win atop Samoëns 1600 ahead of Matteo Jorgensen and Giulio Ciccone
By Dan Challis Published
-
Primož Roglič blitzes his rivals to win stage six of Critérium du Dauphiné and take over the race lead
Slovenian outsprinted Giulio Ciccone in the final kilometre of the summit finish at Le Collet d'Allevard to take over the yellow jersey from Remco Evenepoel
By Tom Thewlis Last updated
-
'A good sign towards the Tour de France': Remco Evenepoel takes time trial victory at Critérium du Dauphiné
World champion takes first victory since he was involved in Itzulia horror crash
By Adam Becket Published
-
'It was a nice first day, but definitely took a bit out of the legs' - Mark Donavan on his day out in the breakaway at the Critérium du Dauphiné
The British rider leads the mountains classification after the opening stage of the race
By Joseph Lycett Published
-
Mads Pedersen sprints to victory on stage 1 of the Critérium du Dauphiné
The Lidl-Trek rider outsprinted Sam Bennett to win the opening stage and take the first maillot jaune of the race
By Joseph Lycett Published
-
'We'll continue fighting for stages': Buoyant Cofidis target yet more Tour de France success
The French team claim their second victory of this year's race, well and truly ending their status as the Tour's whipping boys
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published