Critérium du Dauphiné (st. 3)

Valverde takes 15th as Boasson Hagen (SKY) wins in Tarare; Spaniard jumps into 4th at Dauphiné GC, last of favourites to rolll down the ramp at Wednesday's crucial ITT

Canadian David Veilleux (EUC) spent another calm day in yellow at the 2013 Critérium du Dauphiné, the French event covering 171km on Tuesday’s stage three from Ambérieu-en-Beugy to Tarare. The two climbs scheduled for today did not break up the bunch, but did cause several attempts neutralized by the group -with Alejandro Valverde always into alert, protected at the front by Imanol Erviti and eighth-overall Ángel Madrazo- before setting up the sprint, won by Norwegian Edvald Boasson Hagen (SKY).

Valverde’s 15th place at the finish led him one place higher in the GC standings -he’s now in 4th, behind Veilleux, Meersman (OPQ) and Gallopin (RLT)- as all favourites are into the same time before the first real shake-up in the 33-kilometer, flat ITT between Villars-les-Dombes and the Parc des Oiseaux. The Movistar Team leader will be the last of the main contenders to roll down the start ramp (13.52 CEST).