Sunday 12 June 2016 19:07, UK
Chris Froome won the Criterium du Dauphine for the third time in four years.
The Team Sky rider beat Romain Bardet into second place by 12 seconds and Dan Martin into third by 19 seconds.
Here is how the race panned out...
Stage winner: Alberto Contador (Tinkoff). Race leader: Alberto Contador (Tinkoff).
Stage 1: Monday, June 6 – Cluses to Saint-Vulbas – 186km
Stage winner: Nacer Bouhanni (Cofidis). Race leader: Alberto Contador (Tinkoff).
Stage 2: Tuesday, June 7 – Creches-sur-Saone to Chalmazal-Jeansagniere – 167.5km
Stage winner: Jesus Herrada (Movistar). Race leader: Alberto Contador (Tinkoff).
Stage 3: Wednesday, June 8 – Boen-sur-Lignon to Tournon-sur-Rhone – 182km
Stage winner: Fabio Aru (Astana). Race leader: Alberto Contador (Tinkoff).
Stage 4: Thursday, June 9 – Tain-l’Hermitage to Belley – 176km
Stage winner: Edvald Boasson Hagen (Dimension Data). Race leader: Alberto Contador (Tinkoff).
Stage 5: Friday, June 10 – La Ravoire to Vaujany – 140km
Stage winner: Chris Froome (Team Sky). Race leader: Chris Froome (Team Sky).
Stage 6: Saturday, June 11 – La Rochette to Meribel – 141km
Stage winner: Thibaut Pinot (FDJ.fr). Race leader: Chris Froome (Team Sky).
Stage 7: Sunday, June 12 – Le Pont-de-Claix to Superdevoluy – 151km
Stage winner: Steve Cummings (Dimension Data). Race leader: Chris Froome (Team Sky).
Chris Froome (Team Sky)
Froome returns to action for the first time since an inconsistent performance at the Tour de Romandie at the end of April, when he won a stage but finished only 38th overall. However, he now has another month of training in his legs and boasts an excellent record at the Dauphine, having won in both 2013 and last year.
Alberto Contador (Tinkoff)
Contador has enjoyed a strong season so far, winning the Tour of the Basque Country, finishing second at both the Volta a Catalunya and Paris-Nice and also third at the Volta ao Algarve. The 33-year-old Spaniard has twice finished second at the Dauphine but is yet to win it.
Fabio Aru (Astana)
Aru makes his maiden appearance at the Dauphine ahead of his first attempt to win the Tour. The 25-year-old Italian has had a poor season so far, with his best result being sixth place at February’s Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana. He has had two months of solid training since his last race and an improvement in form is both expected and needed.
Richie Porte (BMC Racing)
Porte’s previous appearances at the Dauphine have been a support rider to the likes of Froome and Sir Bradley Wiggins, so this year is his first chance to target the yellow and blue jersey. He has had a strong start to the season, but if he wants to be considered a genuine contender to win the Tour, he has to prove himself at the Dauphine.
Thibaut Pinot (FDJ.fr)
Pinot is in the middle of what has so far been the best season of his career and appears perfectly placed ahead of the Dauphine and Tour. He has finished in the top five of all six stages races he has entered this season, including a second place behind Quintana in Romandie.
- Steve Cummings (Dimension Data).
- Chris Froome (Team Sky).
- Luke Rowe (Team Sky).
- Ian Stannard (Team Sky).
- Adam Yates (Orica-GreenEdge).
