Critérium du Dauphiné 2017: Fuglsang wins stage and overall on Plateau de Solaison

At 115 kilometres, the 8th stage of the Critérium du Dauphiné takes in three intermediate climbs. Chris Froome puts pressure on leader Richie Porte from the start, yet Jakob Fuglsang soloes to victory on the last ascent to Plateau de Solaison. Porte rides an impressive climb, but the Dane wins the overall thanks to a 10 seconds time bonus. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 8th stage 2017 Critérium du Dauphiné

1. Jakob Fuglsang (den)
2. Daniel Martin (irl) + 0.12
3. Louis Meintjes (rsa) + 0.27
4. Emmanuel Buchmann (ger) + 0.43
5. Fabio Aru (ita) + 1.01
6. Romain Bardet (fra) + 1.02
7. Richie Porte (aus) + 1.15
8. Chris Froome (gbr) + 1.34
9. Rafael Valls (spa) + 1.41
10. Alejandro Valvderde (spa) + 3.30

11. Alberto Contador (spa) + 4.10
13. Simon Yates (gbr) + 4.43

Final GC 2017 Critérium du Dauphiné
1. Jakob Fuglsang (den)
2. Richie Porte (aus) + 0.10
3. Daniel Martin (irl) + 1.32
4. Chris Froome (gbr) + 1.33
5. Fabio Aru (ita) + 1.37
6. Romain Bardet (fra) + 2.04
7. Emmanuel Buchmann (ger) + 2.32
8. Louis Meintjes (rsa) + 3.12
9. Alejandro Valverde (spa) + 4.08
10. Rafael Valls (spa) + 4.40

11. Alberto Contador (spa) + 5.20
12. Tiesj Benoot (bel) + 8.03
13. Simon Yates (gbr) + 9.02

Race report
A lot of movement in the early kms, but it’s only moments before hitting the Col des Saisies that a group of 24 riders goes clear. On the slopes of the Saisies Tony Gallopin and Warren Barguil speed up and go away from the front group, while Kreuziger, Chaves, Herrada, Lutsenko, Clarke, Voeckler and Laegen chase them down. Both Valverde and Froome attack in the main group. To no avail, but the intentions are clear: put pressure on leader Porte.

On the Saisies Gallopin heads out on his own and he is first to crest, almost 1 minute ahead of the main group of about 40 riders. Porte is isolated.

Michal Kwiatkowski and Simon Clarke leave the main group on their way to the Col des Aravis, while Barguil, Kreuziger, Lopez, Stake Laengen and Simon Yates try to bridge across, too. An attack by Valverde and Froome is neutralised by Porte. The pressure on the leader is immense.

Barguil, Lopez, Kreuziger, Stake Laengen and Yates re-join Kwiatkowski and Clarke. For a change, Froome attacks with Valverde. This time Contador and Dan Martin join the effort. Once again, Porte repairs the damage. For now.

Gallopin is half a minute ahead of the chasers on the top, while the main group is more than 1 minute in arrears. The chasing groups come together and another Froome acceleration in the descent puts an end to Gallopin’s aspirations.

On Col de la Colombière Valverde goes solo, while Aru re-joins him. Behind them the field is shattered. Fuglsang, Dan Martin and Bardet are the first chasers. A group with Contador is chasing, too, while Froome leaves Porte alone in the last km before the top to crest 12 seconds ahead of the yellow jersey.

On the descent Froome flies to the group Contador and together they catch the group Fuglsang. In the valley they almost chase down the two leaders, which they manage to do on the lower slopes of the climb to Plateau de Solaison. Porte is chasing on his own.

With 7.5 kms left to climb Dan Martin attacks with Jakob Fuglsang on his wheel. The Dane goes alone after 2 kms. In the last kms of the Salaison Bardet, Buchmann and Meintjes leave Froome behind, while Porte gobbles up his former leader to drop him a little later.

Most of the climb Fuglsang is 1 minute ahead of Porte. His deficit on GC is 1’15” and when he speeds up in the final kms that’s exactly the difference on the line. But being the winner Fuglsang takes a time bonus of 10 seconds and this is the margin with which he takes the overall.