CRITÉRIUM DU DAUPHINÉ (ST. 5)

Alejandro Valverde finishes 8th.Thomas (IGD) takes a witty win on one of the last corners followed by Colbrelli (TBV) who almost stole the victory on the very finish line.

175,5 hilly, technical and fast paced kilometers between Saint-Chamond and Saint-Vallier. Asgreen (DQT) made an early attack at the Côte du Planil (3rd cat.), crossing the summit in first position and then followed by Gramy (BEX), Wellens (LTS), Gautier (BBK) and Bernard (TFS) who conformed the first of many breaks.

Later on Cerny (DQT), Mullen and Stuyven (TFS) joined them but couldn’t get more than 2 minutes as the peloton was catching up pushed by IGD. Cerny put up a solo fight but was eventually caught at 43km to go.

A few kilometers later Bystrøm (UAD) had up to 1′ but at 14km to go was neutralized. Craddock (EFN) tried in the climb to Côte de Montrebut (2nd cat.) but was also caught before getting into the last 5 km.

Several crashes happened along the stage, Miguel Ángel López, Alejandro Valverde and Enric Mas kept safe riding almost the entire stage in the first positions of the main group.

After one of the last corners of the stage, a right-handed hairpin, Thomas (IGD) cleverly accelerated and managed to get a gap which granted him the victory by a short margin, due to the final push by Colbrelli (TBV) who almost stole the stage from the Welsh. Alejandro Valverde finished 8th on that sprint.

Proper mountain for the final part of tomorrow’s stage, 167,2 km with two 3rd category climbs and another two 2nd category in the last 50 kilometers.

Cover picture (c): BettiniPhoto