Critérium du Dauphiné 2016 Stage 5: Stage win and leaders jersey Froome, Porte in second

Critérium du Dauphiné 2016 Stage 5: Stage win and leader’s jersey Froome, Porte in second

Stage 5 in the Critérium du Dauphiné serves a hearty meal with seven climbs and a summit finish. Chris Froome powers to the win on the closing climb with Richie Porte close behind. The former teammates are now one and two in the GC, while Contador sits in third and Dan Martin in fourth. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 5th stage Critérium du Dauphiné

1. Chris Froome (gbr)
2. Richie Porte (aus) + 0.01
3. Adam Yates (gbr) + 0.19
4. Daniel Martin (irl) s.t.
5. Alberto Contador (spa) + 0.21
6. Romain Bardet (fra) + 0.25
7. Pierre Rolland (fra) + 0.27
8. Bauke Mollema (nld) s.t.
9. Louis Meintjes (rsa) s.t.
10. Julian Alaphilippe (fra) s.t.

35. Fabio Aru (ita) + 1.57

GC after 5th stage
1. Chris Froome (gbr)
2. Richie Porte (aus) + 0.07
3. Alberto Contador (spa) + 0.27
4. Daniel Martin (irl) + 0.37
5. Julian Alaphilippe (fra) + 0.42
6. Adam Yates (gbr) + 0.52
7. Diego Rosa (ita) + 1.08
8. Daniel Navarro (spa) + 1.16
9. Bauke Mollema (nld) + 1.21
10. Louis Meintjes (rsa) + 1.27

26. Fabio Aru (ita) + 3.18

Race report
Despite several attempts it’s only after 25 kms Thomas Voeckler, Alexis Vuillermoz and Tsgabu Grmay get clear. Clément Chevrier joins them and while climbing up Col du Barioz, the only 1st category climb of the day, 22 riders bridge the gap: Stephen Cummings, Wout Poels, Greg van Avermaet, Jan Bakelants, Tom-Jelte Slagter, Jens Keukeleire, Robert Kiserlovski, Roman Kreuziger, Steve Morabito, Sébastien Reichenbach, Andriy Grivko, Paolo Tiralongo, Cyril Gautier, Tomasz Marcynski, Edvald Boasson Hagen, Daniel Teklehaimanot, Ryder Hesjedal, Antonio Pedredo, Jérôme Coppel, Björn Thurau, Paul Voss and Luka Pibernik. Chevrier can’t keep the pace and is dropped, making a front group of 25 riders.

When cresting the peloton is 1 minute adrift, which is still the gap at the top of Col des Ayes. Both times Teklehaimanot takes most KOM points, making him the KOM leader.

In the descent of Col des Mouilles Grivko goes solo, while the other escapees are caught. At the lower slopes of Côte de la Sarazine Cyril Gautier, Dayer Quintana, Enrico Gasparotto and Bartosz Huzarski start chasing Grivko and in the drop they join him with a 3 minutes advantage over the pack.

When hitting the lower slopes of the closing climb the difference is 1 minute. Gasparotto and Quintana jump of the front, yet the Colombian can’t hold on. Landa attacks in the peloton to race to the front. He leaves Gasparotto, while Dan Martin accelerates in the group with favourites. For a moment it looks like Froome can’t follow but then he jumps clear to catch Landa and leave him without delay. The only rider able to follow is Porte. Leader Contador is forced to chase, along with Dan Martin and Adam Yates.

Froome pushes hard and in the dying metres of the race Porte has to let go and he finishes 1 seconds down. With time bonuses Froome now is 7 seconds clear of Porte and 27 seconds ahead of Contador, while Dan Martin sits in fourth at 37 seconds.