Alberto Contador finished safely in the main bunch 1.57 behind surprise stage winner and first overall leader David Veilleux (Europcar) on the first stage of the Criterium du Dauphiné. The team was happy to see its riders get safely through the first day of racing in a race that will be mostly used to build up internal understanding with a view towards the Tour de France.
Many have seen this year's Criterium du Dauphiné as some kind of a dress rehearsal for the Tour de France with big favourites Chris Froome (Sky) and Alberto Contador (Saxo-Tinkoff) on the start line. While Froome has done nothing to hide his intentions to win the race, the Spaniard has, however, been much more cautious, stressing that the Dauphiné is maybe the only race of the year that he will not try to win.
This is in line with his approach in the past where he has raced rather defensively in the preparation event, content to follow wheels and build on his condition. And it was further underlined at the end of today's first stage - won in solo fashion by David Veilleux (Europcar) - as sports director Philippe Mauduit made it clear that the main aim in the race is to build up a team cohesion for the Tour de France.
Nonetheless, the team took its share of the responsibility in the chase as both Nicki and Chris Anker Sørensen took turns on the front to reel in Tony Martin (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) who could be a threat for the overall win. However, it is all about the bigger picture of the Tour de France.
”I think most teams were taken by surprise by the stage winner who did a great effort and the final part of the stage was rather hectic with high pace chasing," Mauduit said. "But Alberto was well-protected by his teammates all the way through the stage and the goal here is to bring the riders closer together before the Tour. Nicki did a good job before the penultimate climb keeping up the pace and Chris Anker (Sørensen) was looking strong on the slopes."
The race continues tomorrow with a lumpy, classics-like stage and the Danish team will enter the race with a similar plan. While Mauduit was surprised by Veilleux' strength today, he now thinks that the Canadian can be more resistant than most might think.
"Tomorrow's stage is a bumpy stretch where we'll focus on refining the team work," he said. "I think today's stage winner will be able to hold on to the jersey for more than just a few days now. Obviously, he can both climb and do a solid time trial so it's going to take a big effort taking the jersey away from him."
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