FINHAUT EMOSSON, Switzerland: Spaniard Alberto Contador grabbed the lead in the Criterium du Dauphine yesterday with a desperate attack on the final climb of stage seven that leaves Britain’s Chris Froome trailing by eight seconds.
The double Tour de France winner, laid down a psychological marker for this year’s race, as he attacked Froome with 2km to run on a brutal beyond category climb with the Sky rider desperately clinging on but unable to protect his overall lead.
“It’s a result that gives me confidence and confirms all the work I’ve done. I’m on the right track but there are still 20 days until the Tour de France which is the big objective for the season,” said Contador.
Dutch rider Lieuwe Westra won a sensational stage as he collapsed across the line with Russia’s Katusha rider Yury Trofimov second and team-mate Egor Silin just behind in third on a 160km run from Ville-La-Grand to Finhaut-Emosson, just across the Swiss border.
The Dutch time-trial champion overtook the two Russians in the final 200m after the trio broke away from an earlier 14 man escape. Contador arrived 1min 31secs later in fourth while Froome settled for the seventh position. AFP
