It was a breathtaking last hour of racing in the second road stage of the Critérium du Dauphiné, held over 179 kilometers from Voiron to the Côte de Croix-Rousse (Cat. 4) in Lyon. The wind and the strong pace by several squads split the peloton into two with just over twenty kilometers from the finish line. At the first echelon, Movistar Team was one of the most active groups with six riders inside, always keeping well protected their main GC threat Rui Costa.

The Portuguese rider was again with the top riders of the French stagerace in the final uphill kilometer, already with all big riders together, and jumps into 10th place in a GC that will dramatically chance tomorrow in the first decisive stage of this year’s pre-Tour contest. Fourty-two kilometers of individual time trial in and around Grenoble, including a demanding route that will open up the gaps in the GC, will see Vinokourov (AST) defend its yellow-blue jersey after the win today from German John Degenkolb (HTC).