Grega Bole Sprints to Stage 1 Win at 2010 Criterium du Dauphine

News & Results

06/7/2010| 0 comments
by AP, with additional commentary by Roadcycling.com
Alberto Contador is still in yellow. Photo copyright Fotoreporter Sirotti.
Alberto Contador is still in yellow. Photo copyright Fotoreporter Sirotti.

Grega Bole Sprints to Stage 1 Win at 2010 Criterium du Dauphine

Alberto Contador retains Dauphine Libere lead and yellow jersey.

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.

Your comments
Your comments
sign up or login to post a comment