Chris Froome got his title defence at the Criterium du Dauphiné off to an excellent start when he won today's opening time trial with a big 8-second margin over key rival Albert Contador. Unlike many of the other contenders, the Brit makes it clear that he is not at the race just to prepare as he will do what he can to win the race overall.

 

Chris Froome got his Criterium du Dauphine title defence off to the best-possible start with an emphatic victory in the opening time trial.

 

The Brit stormed around the 10.4-kilometre course in Lyon in a time of 13 minutes and 13 seconds, stopping the clock eight seconds quicker than his nearest rival.

 

There was no holding back from any rider as Froome went toe to toe with Alberto Contador and Vincenzo Nibali out on the course. Contador (Tinkoff-Saxo) set a new benchmark time moments earlier but was eclipsed by Froome who rocketed through the second half of the stage to put time into everyone.

 

Nibali (Astana), who eventually ended the stage in eighth position, 13 seconds back, had been quickest at the intermediate split at the top of the climb.

 

Times had been tight among the top contenders for much of the day but as Froome entered the final metres it was clear the 29-year-old was riding into yellow.

 

“I don’t think it was necessarily the objective to take the yellow jersey today on such a short, flat time trial but I couldn’t be happier with the result,” said Froome after the stage.

 

“I’m here to win the race and we’re going to do everything we can. Obviously it’s the most important to try and have the yellow jersey at the end of the race, not necessarily right now.

 

“The Dauphine this year is really hard right from the opening stages. I think tomorrow again we can expect a really big race in the mountains.  I'm pretty much where I was last year if not a little bit better.”

 

Fastest for much of the day, Bob Jungels (Trek Factory Racing) took third on the stage, nine seconds back, with Andrew Talansky (Garmin-Sharp) a further two seconds adrift.

 

Vasil Kiryienka set a superb time to claim seventh on the day, the Belarusian carrying strong form after a podium finish at Bayern Rundfahrt. Winner of that race Geraint Thomas and Richie Porte were also right in the mix with 16th and 23rd places respectively.

 

Strong team support will be required once again during the next seven days as Team Sky look to make it a fourth consecutive victory in the prestigious French stage race.