Stage 1 of the Critérium du Dauphiné practically ended in a punch sprint rather than a bunch sprint yesterday! Riders jostling for position who risked wiping out in the final metres of the race included Chris Froome and Nacer Bouhanni, who narrowly won the stage from Jens Debusschere and Sam Bennett.
The race to the French village of Saint Vulbas saw head-butts between Katusha rider Alexander Kristoff and Nacer Bouhanni of Cofidis.
Read MoreWith the Tour de France just four weeks away, the start of the Critérium du Dauphiné this weekend will be a good gauge on what sort of form the main players are in. Held in France, the eight stage race from 5th to 12th June features Alpine mountains, flat and rolling stages as well as time trials that will see the GC contenders of the Tour trying to impose themselves and intimidate their rivals.
This has traditionally been a good race for Team Sky with four wins in the last five years, and an early indicator of good form.
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