Peter Kennaugh took an absolutely brilliant win on the opening stage of Criterium du Dauphiné today, jumping clear of a five-man group in the final kilometres and holding off a charging peloton by two seconds.
By Brian Canty
Nicolas Roche’s and Philip Deignan's Team Sky squad enjoyed a perfect day at the Criterium du Dauphiné today when Peter Kennaugh slipped away in the final kilometres of the opening stage and managed to hang on to the line, thus ensuring he’d wear the first yellow jersey of the race.
The reigning British road race champion is one of many riders in the team fighting for his Tour de France place next month and he’ll have done his chances of a start there no harm whatsoever with arguably his best ever one-day result.
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The Isle of Man rider launched himself off the back of a five-man group in the dying kilometres to take an unlikely – but thoroughly deserved victory.
Italian sprinter Sacha Modolo (Lampre-Merida) was next over the line with Norwegian Edvald Boasson Hagen (MTN-Qhubeka) rounding out the podium.
Roche crossed the line in 31st and was one of the first to embrace his teammate, while team leader Chris Froome was also up towards the front in 16th.
Roche said it was a superb day for the team and morale is sky-high going into tomorrow’s second stage from La Bourget du Lac to Parc des Oiseaux Villars-les-Dombes.
“It was an incredible win for Peter and the team, just perfect,” the Irishman said.
“I was okay today I think. I need a bit more rhythm but that will come; I spent a bit too much time climbing today for my liking,” he remarked jokingly.
“But I hope to progress as the race goes on and be good for the second half of the week where I’ll really be needed,” he added.
Dan Martin made a welcome return to racing today on the opening stage of the Criterium du Dauphiné. The Cannondale-Garmin man crossed the line in 63rd place and lost no time to any of his fellow contenders.
Dan Martin also came home safely in the peloton, crossing the line in 63rd place.
The Cannondale-Garmin man will be glad to have been back in the thick of things as the Tour looms.
It’s been a wretched season of ill-luck for the Irishman so far but if he can get a run of form and avoid misfortune, he won’t need an invite to go on the attack.
This week is perfect for him in terms of the parcours, and alongside team co-leader and defending champion Andrew Talansky, they’ll look to stamp their authority on things.
The other Irishman on the field, Philip Deignan, ceded 4’18” on the stage and crossed the line in a group of around 25 riders today.
He was on domestique duty and will be so for the remainder of the week.
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His prowess in the climbs is going to be of huge benefit to Froome and should the Donegal man perform well, a Tour de France spot is in the offering.
Tomorrow's 173-kilometre stage features the category one climb of Col de Cuvéry at the mid-way point.
Criterium du Dauphine
Stage 1, Ugine to Albertville, 120k
1 P Kennaugh (GB) Team Sky 3:06:41;
2 S Modolo (It) Lampre at 6sec;
3 E Boasson Hagen (Nor) Team MTN at 8 sec;
4 T Benoot (Bel) Lotto at 12 sec;
5 S Gerrans (Aus) Orica at same time;
6 N Bouhanni (Fr) Cofidis s/t;
7 J McCarthy (Aus) Tinkoff-Saxo s/t;
8 A Valverde (Sp) Movistar s/t;
9 S Dumoulin (Fr) AG2R s/t;
10 C Gautier (Fr) Europcar s/t.
31 N Roche (IRL) Team Sky s/t
63 D Martin (IRL) Team Sky s/t
137 P Deignan (IRL) Team Sky @4”18’
