Chris Froome wins second stage of Criterium du Dauphine
Chris Froome takes second consecutive Criterium du Dauphine stage win in a mountain showdown with Alberto Contador
Chris Froome (Sky) won stage two of the 2014 Criterium du Dauphine on Monday after engaging in a mountain duel with rival Alberto Contador (Tinkoff-Saxo) on the final climb of Col du Béal.
Resplendent in the yellow jersey after winning Sunday's opening time trial stage, Froome led the way in the final finale of the stage after his Sky teammates dropped him off earlier on the punishing ascent. Froome launched a big acceleration within the final five kilometres to distance all of his rivals barring Contador.
After Froome had checked over his shoulder to see what company he had, the lead pair slowed slightly. This allowed Vincenzo Nibali (Astana), Jurgen Van den Broeck (Lotto-Belisol), Wilco Kelderman (Belkin) and Andrew Talansky (Garmin-Sharp) to regain contact but behind them, the rest of the chase group was in pieces.
Kelderman and Van den Broeck both launched attacks, with Nibali and Talansky distanced at one point, but the group of six was back together with two and a half kilometres to go.
Froome kept up the pressure, putting in several digs as they headed toward the kick up to line with Contador attached to his back wheel.
Contador simply couldn't match Froome in the finale and the British Tour de France 2013 champion crossed the line victorious ahead of the Spaniard. It was another highly convincing display by Froome to match his previous day's ride against the clock.
Kelderman came home for third, with young British climber Adam Yates (Orica-GreenEdge) once again proving his class at the top level in eighth, just 13 seconds behind Nibali.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Froome now leads Contador by 12 seconds overall, with Kelderman in third at 21 seconds. Yates is in ninth overall at one minute and 31 seconds.
Tuesday's stage three takes the riders from Ambert to La Teil over 194km. The 2014 Criterium du Dauphine concludes on Sunday, June 15.
Results
Criterium du Dauphine 2014, stage two: Tarare to Col du Béal, 158.5km
1. Chris Froome (GBr) Team Sky in 4-24-41
2. Alberto Contador (Spa) Tinkoff-Saxo at same time
3. Wilco Kelderman (Ned) Belkin at 4 secs
4. Jurgen Van den Broeck (Bel) Lotto-Belisol at 10 secs
5. Andrew Talansky (USA) Garmin-Sharp at 12 secs
6. Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Astana at 27 secs
7. Igor Anton (Spa) Movistar at 40 secs
8. Adam Yates (GBr) Orica-GreenEdge at 42 secs
9. Sebastien Reichenbach (Sui) IAM Cycling at 44 secs
10. Daniel Navarro (Spa) Cofidis at 45 secs
Overall classification after stage two
1. Chris Froome (GBr) Team Sky in 4-37-44
2. Alberto Contador (Spa) Tinkoff-Saxo at 12 secs
3. Wilco Kelderman (Ned) Belkin at 21 secs
4. Andrew Talansky (USA) Garmin-Sharp at 33 secs
5. Jurgen Van den Broeck (Bel) Lotto-Belisol at 35 secs
6. Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Astana at 50 secs
7. Haimar Zubeldia (Spa) Trek Factory Racing at 1-22
8. Jakob Fuglsang (Den) Astana at 1-22
9. Adam Yates (GBr) Orica-GreenEdge at 1-31
10. Tanel Kangert (Est) Astana at 1-35
Credit: watson
Chris Froome wins Criterium du Dauphine opener
Defending Criterium du Dauphine champion Chris Froome takes early race lead with dominant display in time trial
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Nigel Wynn worked as associate editor on CyclingWeekly.com, he worked almost single-handedly on the Cycling Weekly website in its early days. His passion for cycling, his writing and his creativity, as well as his hard work and dedication, were the original driving force behind the website’s success. Without him, CyclingWeekly.com would certainly not exist on the size and scale that it enjoys today. Nigel sadly passed away, following a brave battle with a cancer-related illness, in 2018. He was a highly valued colleague, and more importantly, an exceptional person to work with - his presence is sorely missed.
-
Coach's view: Does cycle commuting really count as training?
How to make sure you're getting the most out of your two-wheeled trip to work
By James Shrubsall Published
-
Ditching the power meter is getting me results, says Alex Dowsett
Ex-WorldTour pro enjoying better pacing and a 'nicer time' after winning two out of two TTs this season
By James Shrubsall Published
-
Bullying isn't allowed in other workplaces, professional sport should be no different
Comments about Julian Alaphilippe are just the latest in a long line of examples of bosses in sport going too far
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
‘I feel lucky to be alive’: Magnus Sheffield speaks for the first time about Gino Mäder’s fatal crash
The American describes what he saw at the Tour de Suisse, eight months after the tragedy
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Tom Pidcock: Tour of Britain route 'not really ideal for me'
Brit says he wants to win home stage race, even if the course plays in Wout van Aert's favour
By Tom Davidson Published
-
This 39-year-old INEOS Grenadiers rider moonlights as a pro triathlete
A Jack of all trades, Cameron Wurf is a domestique for INEOS Grenadiers professional cycling team, but doubles as a successful pro triathlete.
By Kristin Jenny Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers' only female rider Pauline Ferrand-Prévot eyes road return
Mountain bike legend could be back in the peloton next year
By Tom Davidson Published
-
CW Live: Chris Froome targets return to 'top level'; UCI tightens ITT rules; Strava responds to price hike criticism; Topless protesters arrested at TDU; Tributes paid to Lieuwe Westra; Scott recalls 'cracking' bikes; Toon Aerts the PE teacher
The latest news in the world of cycling
By Tom Davidson Last updated
-
CW LIVE: Wout van Aert and Shirin van Anrooij win cyclo-cross in Koksijde; Rapha unveil EF Education kits; Police search for two suspects in Mark Cavendish robbery; Paris-Nice route announced; Chris Froome and Geraint Thomas to ride Tour Down Under
All the latest in the world of cycling
By Tom Davidson Last updated
-
Egan Bernal has nose operation to help 'air passage' ahead of 2023
Procedure not thought to be connected to the life-threatening crash which affected Colombian last year
By Adam Becket Published