Thomas De Gendt solos to stage 1 victory at the Criterium Du Dauphine
Lotto Soudal's Thomas De Gendt won the opening stage of the Critérium du Dauphiné from the breakaway of the day
De Gendt broke away from breakaway companion AG2R La Mondiale's Axel Domont on the final climb into Saint-Étienne. Domont finished 44 seconds behine with Diego Ulisi from UAE Team Emirates crossing the line 57 seconds down on De Gendt.
Behind the peloton crossed the line containing all of the big-name favorites.
De Gendt was part of the day's seven-rider breakaway that included Romain Sicard (Direct Energie), Silvio Herklotz (Bora-Hansgrohe), Antonio Nibali (Bahrain-Merida), Angel Madrazo (Delko Marseille). and Delio Fernandez. They opened up a maximum lead of 6 minutes.
The peloton failed to chase and never brought them back.
De Gendt pulled on the Yellow leader's jersey.
Tomorrow's Stage 2 on Monday June 5 from Saint-Chamond to Arlanc is 171 km and is a medium mountain stage with two third category, one second category and one fourth category climb.
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2017 Criterium Du Dauphine Stage 1 Results Top 20
1 Thomas De Gendt (Bel) Lotto Soudal 4:17:04
2 Axel Domont (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale 0:00:44
3 Diego Ulissi (Ita) UAE Team Emirates 0:00:57
4 Pierre Roger Latour (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale
5 Emanuel Buchmann (Ger) Bora-Hansgrohe
6 Sonny Colbrelli (Ita) Bahrain-Merida 0:00:59
7 Julien Simon (Fra) Cofidis, Solutions Credits
8 Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Movistar Team
9 Ben Swift (GBr) UAE Team Emirates
10 Michael Valgren Andersen (Den) Astana Pro Team
11 Jens Keukeleire (Bel) Orica-Scott
12 Tony Gallopin (Fra) Lotto Soudal
13 Grega Bole (Slo) Bahrain-Merida
14 Tiesj Benoot (Bel) Lotto Soudal
15 Christopher Froome (GBr) Team Sky
16 Mauro Finetto (Ita) Delko Marseille Provence KTM
17 Simon Clarke (Aus) Cannondale-Drapac
18 Alberto Bettiol (Ita) Cannondale-Drapac
19 Guillaume Martin (Fra) Wanty - Groupe Gobert
20 Brent Bookwalter (USA) BMC Racing Team