Critérium du Dauphiné (st. 8)

Movistar Team -7th GC in Dauphiné- anticipates his move of the day to the Col de Vars, 40k from the finish; De Marchi (CAN), Froome (SKY) take final honours

Brit Chris Froome (SKY) has taken the overall victory in the 2013 Critérium du Dauphiné after a final stage eight -155km from Sisteron to the Cat-1 climb of Risoul, preceeded by the 2,100-meter-high Col de Vars- where the bunch suffered under cold and rain once again this season. A 24-rider breakaway -with dual representation from Movistar Team with Jonathan Castroviejo and Imanol Erviti-, containing eventual winner Alessandro De Marchi (CAN), preceeded Alejandro Valverde’s offensive in the second part of the Vars ascent, with still 40 kilometers to cover.

The Spaniard, brave as none of the favourites into the three mountain stages on French soil, found once again opposition from the Sky, Saxo-led bunch, which neutralized the telephone squad’s GC leader at the beginning of the climb. Valverde’s action served as corrosion into the bunch, which lost elements until it broke up with 2k left, a duo attack by Froome and team-mate Richie Porte going away. Valverde limited losses to come across the finish in 6th place, thus progressing a step into the overall standings to take 7th at the final classification, 3’12” back on the win and exactly one minute behind the podium.