Chris Froome (Team Sky) triumphed in the opening stage of the Critérium du Dauphiné – a 10.4km time trial characterised by a block headwind in the final third after riders crossed the River Saône in Lyon, France.
It was a tough day for most of the riders. Bob Jungels (Trek Factory Racing) laid down the early marker to beat - 13m 22s - that lasted for most of the afternoon. The Luxembourger's time stood until Alberto Contador (Tinkoff-Saxo), the second last rider off, breached it. Then moments later, it was Froome – the last rider off – who took an extra eight seconds from the Spaniard. Afterwards he said he received intelligence that he would need to hold something back for the tough final. “Good advice” he called it in the winner’s press conference. He said the team will discuss whether they try to defend the jersey on Monday’s lumpy stage starting in Tarare.
BikeRadar was on hand to watch the riders come home and check out the gear they used to tackle the short urban course in Lyon. Bikes were fitted with large chainrings for the flattish course and a couple of the riders we saw had developed some nicely customised set-ups.
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An asymmetrical cockpit on Gustav Larsson's rig