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Nacer Bouhanni (Cofidis) has claimed a very physical sprint victory at Stage 1 of the 2016 Criterium du Dauphine, with Jens Debusschere (Lotto-Soudal) and Sam Bennett (Bora-Argon 18) closing out the top three.
The final 10 kilometres were an absolute wash of teams at the front of the peloton, with the General Classification riders trying to stay safe, and the sprinters trying to have their respective teams set them up for victory.
There were at least 10 or 11 different teams on the front of the peloton throughout the closing stages, but it all came to a head in the final two kilometres with shoulders, elbows and heads flying with a few crashes very nearly the result.
In fact, Tour de France favourite Chris Froome was almost knocked off by an extended elbow as he tried to stay out of trouble.
Earlier in the stage, it took no time at all for a two man breakaway of Frederik Backaert (Wanty-Groupe Gobert) and Mitch Docker (0rica GreenEdge) to establish off the front and they worked their maximum advantage out to 5 minutes and 20 seconds.
It was the race leader Alberto Contador’s Tinkoff team that did a bulk of the work to bring the gap down, before Giant – Alpecin, Katusha and Cofidis took over to close the gap off with just 10 kilometres to go, although they had them in their sites for quite a while before the catch.
In terms of climbing on the stage, Backaert would take three of the Category 4 climbs, offering one point to the King of the Mountains classification with Docker taking the other however, neither will challenge Contador for the jersey after he won the prologue and collected 10 points.
With just over 20 kilometres to go Docker decided enough was enough and dropped back to the peloton, so it was a corageous effort from Backaert to stay away for as long as he did.
The sprint it self to the line was fantastically executed from Bouhanni. Alexander Kristoff simply didn’t have the legs and Bouhanni dug through everyone before getting into an incredibly low sprinting position to take the stage.
So, Contador holds yell, Bouhanni takes the stage win and the climbers will come back out to play tomorrow.
Stage 1 top 10
1. Nacer Bouhanni (Cofidis) @ 4:27:53
2. Jens Debusschere (Lotto-Soudal) + 0:00
3. Sam Bennett (Bora-Argon 18) + 0:00
4. Edvald Boasson Hagen (Dimension Data) + 0:00
5. Jonas Van Genechten (IAM) + 0:00
6. Moreno Hofland (Lotto NL-Jumbo) + 0:00
7. Tony Hurel (Direct-Energie) + 0:00
8. Holst Enger (IAM)
9. Daryl Impey (Orica) + 0:00
10. Edward Theuns (Trek-Segafredo) + 0:00
General Classification
1. Alberto Contador (Tinkoff) @ 11:36
2. Richie Porte (BMC) + 0:06
3. Chris Froome (Sky) + 0:13
4. Daniel Martin (Etixx-Quickstep) + 0:21
5. Julian Alaphilippe (Etixx-Quickstep) + 0:24
6. Wouter Poels (Sky) + 0:25
7. Romain Bardet (Ag2r) + 0:29
8. Adam Yates (Orica) + 0:31
9. Diego Rosa (Astana) + 0:37
10. Jesus Herrada (Movistar) + 0:39
Stage 1 of the Criterium du Dauphine is a day for the fast men. Join The Roar‘s live coverage from 11pm (AEST).
This stage is 186 kilometres from the start line in Cluses until the finishing sprint in Saint Vulbas.
The parcours is fairly simple, with four categorised climbs, all category four, coming after 31, 69, 75 and 131 kilometres completed. There are no intermediate sprints on the stage.
While the top sprinters including Mark Cavendish, Andre Griepel and Marcel Kittel are not here, there are some other sprinters who will be wanting to shine on French roads before they start the big race in July.
Alexander Kristoff headlines a solid Katusha squad, with lead-out men Marco Haller, Jacopo Guarneri and Michael Morkov all present to back be the best-supported rider here.
After an incredible early season last year, Kristoff has been solid in 2016, dominating the sprints at the Tour of Qatar, and taking a stage win at the recently completed Tour of California, up against both Cavendish and Peter Sagan. He will be looking to hit form before July.
Nacer Bouhanni is also here on his home roads, and will be wanting to add to his World Tour stage wins, from Paris-Nice and Volta a Catalunya from the early season. He will be supported by Cofidis teammates Geoffery Soupe and Borut Bozic in the finale.
After a horror early season training accident which took out a number of his Giant-Alpecin teammates, John Degenkolb continues his comeback to racing after recently completing the Tour of California. A solid end to the race, with a top five on the final stage hopefully shows he is getting back to form.
Other riders to look out for today include Samuel Dumoulin (AG2R), Darryl Impey (Orica Orica-GreenEDGE), Kris Boeckmans (Lotto-Soudal), Edvald Boasson Hagen (Dimension Data), Niccolo Bonafazio (Trek-Segafredo), Moreno Hofland (Lotto-NL Jumbo) and Sam Bennett (Bora Argon).
Preview by Brendon Vella