US world champions BMC Racing won Tuesday’s team time trial third stage of the Criterium du Dauphine, edging the riders from rivals Astana in the 24.5km ride from Roanne to Montagny.
Australian BMC rider Rohan Dennis becomes the new race leader and takes the yellow jersey following a stage similiar to that scheduled for day nine of the Tour de France next month.
“The situation is different in regards to 2013 when it was an individual time trial and I finished second behind Tony Martin,” Dennis said. “This time, we won. I came to the Dauphine to help the team, but in terms of the overall standings, well I’ve progressed in the mountains and I feel stronger than two years ago.”
Photo: AFP
“Tejay [van Garderen] is better than me on the climbs, but I want to help keep the yellow jersey within the team,” he added.
Defending Tour de France champion Vincenzo Nibali and his Astana team finished just four seconds back, while the Movistar team led by Spaniard Alejandro Valverde were at 5 seconds.
Britain’s team Sky and their leader Chris Froome could only manage sixth place at 35 seconds on a rolling route that included a slight climb to the finish.
Photo: AFP
In the overall standings, the 25-year-old Dennis leads US teammate Van Garderen, with both riders having the same time, while Ukrainian Andriy Grivko is third and Nibali fourth, both in a group of five cyclists at 4 seconds.
“It was the first test of the Dauphine and we gave everything at the finish and this effort paid off,” Van Garderen said.
“The next stage should finish in a sprint and after that there are the mountains. It’s a big challenge, but I feel ready,” he added.
Wednesday’s fourth stage will see the peloton encounter their longest day in the saddle as they ride 228km from Anneyron to Sisteron.
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