Chris Froome had a quiet day in the saddle in today's sprint stage of the Criterium du Dauphiné but expects a more eventful day tomorrow when the stage finishes with the well-known descent from the Col de Manse to the finish in Gap. In last year's Tour de Francem it was the scene of an attack from Alberto Contador and Froome expects that he will again be put under pressure in the difficult downhill section.

 

Team Sky produced an assured display on stage three of the Criterium du Dauphine to keep Chris Froome in yellow as the sprinters came to the fore.

 

Froome was well marshalled throughout the longest stage of the race – which took the riders 194km from Ambert to Le Teil – and crossed the line in a sizeable front group after Nikias Arndt had surged to a fine victory.

 

The Giant-Shimano rider sealed his triumph by the tightest of margins after kicking on in the last 100 metres before holding off a determined late burst from Kris Boeckmans (Lotto Belisol).

 

So close was the call that neither rider celebrated initially, and it was only when a finish-line photo emerged that Arndt was awarded his first win of the season.

 

Froome clocked the same time as that duo, which ensured he maintained his 12-second advantage over Alberto Contador (Tinkoff-Saxo) at the top of the overall standings.

 

After the stage, Froome was pleased to have ticked off another day in the yellow jersey and is taking things in his stride as expectations continue to grow ahead of a busy summer.

 

 

"I’m the Tour de France champion so expectations are naturally higher.

 

"I’ve been more relaxed this season, despite having a few minor setbacks with my chest and back. It’s been a good build up to where I am right now and I wouldn’t change too much about what I’ve done. I’ve followed a brilliant training plan.

 

"I’ve watched my team-mates progress with me as well, through all the altitude work we’ve been doing and the previous races, and I have a lot of confidence in them.

 

"We’re here now to put the training into practice. It’s a learning process for all of us and one of the reasons we’re doing this race."

 

Sports Director Nicolas Portal agreed, and was pleased with the way his riders acquitted themselves in the sweltering conditions.

 

"Everything went well for us today. We defended the jersey and the guys were feeling good. Xabi and Richie suffered a lot with the heat yesterday but they were right back on it today. The whole group was strong.

 

"The goal was to not lose any time and come through a transitional stage with Froomey's lead intact, and we did that.

 

"We weren't concerned if the breakaway stayed away or not, our goal is winning the overall of Sunday.

 

"It will be the same tomorrow. A break could well stay clear there because that late category-two climb could be a bit hard for the pure sprinters.

 

"That will mean we will have to do more of the pace-setting, but as long as it stays manageable, we're not concerned who wins the stage

 

"Our plan is to defend the jersey whilst expending the least energy possible."