Team Sky's Geraint Thomas cemented his control of the Criterium du Dauphine by finishing second in Saturday's sixth and penultimate stage which was won by Spaniard Pello Bilbao.
Bilbao made his move late on during the gruelling stage that is almost the same as the Tour de France's 11th stage, with four major climbs and a summit finish at La Rosiere.
Thomas came in second - 21 seconds behind Astana rider Bilbao - managing to put some further valuable time between himself and his rivals for the yellow jersey.
Briton Adam Yates, riding for Mitchelton, is second in the overall standings, 1min 29sec behind Thomas, with France's Romain Bardet jumping up to third from seventh overnight, at 2min 01sec, after finishing fourth on the stage.
Dan Martin of Ireland was third on Saturday's stage and is now fourth overall at 2min 39sec, while Yates was fifth.
Sunday's seventh and final stage ends in the ski resort of Le Bettex after five climbs over a distance of 136km.