Critérium Du Dauphiné Libéré, Stage 4, Vienne - Annemasse - BikeRadar

Stage 4: Vienne - Annemasse 193km

Dauphiné 4: Cyril Dessel takes solo victory

Cyril Dessel used his descending skills to good effect to win stage 4 (Tim de Waele)

Frenchman Cyril Dessel of the AG2R team won the fourth stage of the Dauphiné Libéré stage race Thursday following an impressive solo attack on the first day of four in the Alps.

Dessel, a former stage winner on the Tour de France, where he has also worn the yellow jersey, finished around two minutes ahead of the main peloton which contained all the yellow jersey contenders.

Spain's Alejandro Valverde, a contender for overall victory both here and in July's three-week epic, retained the race lead with his 23-sec advantage on American Levi Leipheimer intact. Australia's Cadel Evans, last year's Tour de France runner-up, remains third overall at 37sec.

Another Frenchman, Pierre Roland, had attacked on the Saleve climb - the first major climb of the race and 20km from the finish - only for Dessel to pull ahead and soon overtook his younger compatriot. The 33-year-old Dessel powered his way up the climb and down the descent to claim victory after 193 km of racing.

For full results, report and photos, visit Cyclingnews.com.

© AFP 2008

STAGE 4 RESULTS