Australia’s Rohan Dennis has retained the yellow jersey after Stage 4 of the Criterium du Dauphine, which was taken out by Nacer Bouhanni.
In a bunch sprint, after a breakaway which lasted over 200 kilometres, the Australian finished ahead of Tejay Van Garderen to keep the yellow jersey for a second day.
Bouhanni took his second win for the event. With 300 metres to go the Frenchman powered away from the field to maintain his lead in the green jersey classification.
Earlier, a two-man breakaway led by almost seevn minutes at one part of the stage.
With 30 kilometres to go that lead was five minutes, but the peloton started to attack the lead as Bouhanni’s Team Cofidis came to the front.
At the final climb of the day the leading two were caught by the peloton, and attacks came. Fortunately for the sprinters, and Dennis, each attack was nullified by the peloton.
Tomorrow the race changes completely as the mountain stages start.
Can Dennis hold on? Find out as The Roar covers Stage 5 live tomorrow night.
Australia’s Rohan Dennis will look to keep hold of the yellow jersey when Stage 4 of the Criterium du Dauphine is run and won tonight in France. Join The Roar for all the action from 12 midnight (AEST).
For the second time in three years, Adelaide-born Dennis is in yellow at the lead-in event to the Tour de France.
In 2013 he rode a superb time trial to take the lead after Stage 4 of the event. Last night his BMC team won the team time trial and secured the South Australian his second yellow jersey.
Tonight, with the longest stage in the Criterium, he will try to defend it.
The 228 km stage from Anneyron – Porte de DromArdeche to Sisteron, with two category 4 climbs and one category 3 climb, should be a stage for the sprinters or the breakaway.
In the last 15 kilometres, the field has to climb the Cote de la Marquise, a category 4 with a peak of 572m. If the sprinters can clear that without losing time to the peloton, then they should fight it out for the win.
If they don’t, and there are plenty of attacks, then it could be a stage for good climbers who can sprint at the end – such as Simon Gerrans.
Rain is expected towards the second half of the stage, which could create trouble in the peloton and allow a breakaway to get away.
It’s a perfect stage for Dennis to hold on to his lead. He should hold on in the final climb and keep the gap he has over the rest of the field.
If it comes down to a bunch sprint, Nacer Bouhanni is the favourite. He won Stage 2 and looks to be the best sprinter in the field at the event.
From the Aussie contingent, Gerrans looks to be the best hope if the sprinters are eliminated on the final climb.
It should be a cracking stage in the Criterium as an Aussie protects the yellow jersey. Join us for all the action from 12 midnight (AEST).
Scott Pryde
Expert
Interesting stage there by the report. Look's like Bouhanni is in good form leading up to the Tour. Granted the field of sprinters will be a lot stronger there than what it is here. Dennis in yellow again. Will be tough to gold it tonight I would think as he will probably be working for Van Garderen. Still maybe he can hang onto the lead group up the final climb. Bonus seconds will come into play though and that will hurt him. I'll say Nibali will be in yellow after tomorrow's stage.
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
Full report to come.
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
General classification 1 Rohan Dennis (AUS) 2 Tejay van Garderen (USA) + 0" 3 Andriy Grivko (UKR) + 4" 4 Vincenzo Nibali (ITA) + 4" 5 Lieuwe Westra (NED) + 4"
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
Top 5 - 1. Nacer Bouhanni 2. Jonas Van Genechten 3. Luka Mezgec 4. Edvald Boasson Hagen 5. Alexei Tcatsevitch
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
Rohan Dennis stays in the yellow jersey!
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
Cofidis won Bouhanni the stage today. They led the peloton in catching the breakaway, and created the chance for Bouhanni. With 300 metres to go, the Frenchman attacked, and powered away from the other sprinters. He blew them away with his power. Nathan Haas finished 10th and was the best Aussie.
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
Just waiting to see if Dennis finished ahead of Van Garderen.
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
Nacer Bouhanni wins Stage 4 of the Criterium du Dauphine.
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
0.4km to go - They are all together again.
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
0.8km to go Gallopin still leads.
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
1.2km to go Tony Gallopin attacks.
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
1.6km to go The peloton are all together. All that carnage, and attack, was for nothing.
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
2km to go - Everyone gets through a dangerous roundabout safe and sound.
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
2.5km to go - Tony Martin attacks as they catch Wellens.
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
2.9km to go - Wellens is the only rider not in the peleton at the moment. He leads by 8 seconds.
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
3.9km to go - The riders are now riding into the rain and wet roads.
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
4.3km to go - Wellens leads by 14 seconds. Can he hold on?
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
5km to go - Nibali is caught by the peloton.
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
5.5km to go - Wellens has moved away from Keizer.
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
6.3km to go - Nibali now attacks and moves away from the peloton. The gap is 16 seconds between Wellens and Dennis.