Dauphiné (final day) / Suisse (st. 2)

Gadret -8th in Courchevel- alongside Antón into decisive break of breathtaking Dauphiné finale; Ion Izagirre stays within main favourites in Suisse's mountains

No restraints. The final stage of the 2014 Critérium du Dauphiné -131.5 kilometers between Megève and Courchevel (Cat-1), including three other rated climbs- was a carousel of attacks, faints and pure commitment by all riders, coming to a close with Andrew Talansky (GRS) as overall winner after making part of a courageous attempt (23 riders) which led nearly the whole stage and also featured day’s winner Mikel Nieve (SKY). 

The Movistar Team put two of their units into the move: Igor Antón, back into the offensive after attacking on the Emosson climb on Saturday, and John Gadret, who finished in 8th spot after keeping the pace of Talansky and the other main contender in the group, Jurgen Van den Broeck (LTB), in the last two ascents. Despite their respective efforts, neither Nibali -run out of energy, 7th overall after a long pursuit-, not Contador -a long attempt was 27″ short for keeping yellow- nor Froome -destroyed by the attacks, out of the GC’s top-ten- could claim the overall triumph. Gadret, 15th, was the top Blue performer in this month’s first French event.

Lastras takes brief, important chance as Meyer crowns break
Not very far from their team-mates in France, the Movistar Team riders completed, together and with no incidents, the second stage of the Tour de Suisse, over 181km between Bellinzona and Sarnen with four categorized climbs which the peloton -covered by rain in the beginning- completed behind a six-man move from where Cameron Meyer (OGE) surged to claim the victory into a sprint à trois. Pablo Lastras showed to be mentally recovered with a short move into the descent of the Grimselpass, while Ion Izagirre looked ready for battle, following the sole attempts by Kreuziger (TCS) and Mollema (BEL) in the last ascent of the day, the Brünigpass (Cat-2). Monday will bring another three rated climbs plus an uphill finish in Heiden, after a total 203km.