Alberto Contador retained the yellow jersey and Grega Bole of Slovenia won the first stage of the Criterium du Dauphine on Monday.

The two-time Tour de France champion finished in the pack, while Bole held off a late effort from Peter Velits of Slovakia to win the sprint, completing the 119-mile stage in 4 hours, 47 minutes, 24 seconds.

"I'm so happy, this is my first big win," Bole told the event's official website. "Two riders from Sky opened the sprint and I managed to get out with 200 meters to go."

Contador has already won three races this season: Tour of Algarve, Vuelta de Castilla and Leon, and Paris-Nice. A victory at the Dauphine would make the Spaniard the overwhelming favorite for the Tour de France.

Contador's main rivals in the eight-day event are expected to be countryman Samuel Sanchez, Giro d'Italia champion Denis Menchov of Russia, and David Millar of Britain.

Two-time defending Dauphine champion Alejandro Valverde did not race as he is suspended for two years because of his connection to a blood-doping ring.

The race ends June 13, with Tuesday's second stage taking the pack on a 110-mile route from Annonay to Bourg-Saint-Andeol.