Critérium du Dauphiné 2018 Stage 1: Impey sprints to victory, Kwiatkowski remains leader

Daryl Impey wins the 1st stage of the Critérium du Dauphiné ahead of Julian Alaphilippe and Pascal Ackermann. The hilly race of 179 kilometres boils down to a spint, with Impey opening up early and holding on to the line. Michal Kwiatkowski finishes in fifth and retains the overall lead. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 1st stage Critérium du Dauphiné 2018

1. Daryl Impey (rsa)
2. Julian Alaphilippe (fra) s.t.
3. Pascal Ackermann (ger) s.t.
4. Tiesj Benoot (bel) s.t.
5. Michal Kwiatkowski (pol) s.t.
6. Jesús Herrada (spa) s.t.
7. Damiano Caruso (ita) s.t.
8. Xandro Meurisse (bel) s.t.
9. Mike Teunissen (nld) s.t.
10. Jaime Rosón (spa) s.t.

GC after the 1st stage
1. Michal Kwiatkowski (pol)
2. Daryl Impey (rsa) + 0.02
3. Gianni Moscon (ita) + 0.03
4. Bob Jungels (lux) + 0.07
5. Julian Alaphilippe (fra) + 0.08
6. Jens Keukeleire (bel) + 0.09
7. Jonathan Castroviejo (spa) s.t.
8. Brent Bookwalter (usa) + 0.11
9. Mike Teunissen (nld) + 0.13
10. Damiano Caruso (ita) + 0.15

16. Ilnur Zakarin (rus) + 0.18
19. Marc Soler (spa) + 0.20
22. Adam Yates (gbr) + 0.21
23. Geraint Thomas (gbr) s.t.
25. Romain Bardet (fra) + 0.23
28. Vincenzo Nibali (ita) + 0.24
32. Pierre Latour (fra) + 0.26
37. Daniel Martin (irl) + 0.29
63. Warren Barguil (fra) + 0.49

Race report
On the Col de Leyrisse the attacks are flying, while Edet, Feillu and Craddock are the first riders over the top with a 1.35 minutes lead before it balloons to 6 minutes.

Edet and Craddock head out together on the first climb of the final circuit. Yet, the peloton is close behind and they are brought back moments after the bell for the last round.

Dylan Teuns strikes on the last climb, but Alaphilippe counter-attacks with Kwiatkowski on his wheel before it all comes together.

Just before the flamme rouge Nibali speeds up, also to no avail. So the race comes down to a sprint. Impey opens up with such conviction and power, that nobody can jump to his wheel, let alone overhaul him. He bests Julian Alaphilippe and Patrick Ackermann, while Michal Kwiatkowski finishes fifth to retain the leader’s jersey.