Critérium du Dauphiné 2018 Stage 7: Adam Yates wins in shadow Mont Blanc, Thomas pockets overall

The final stage of the Critérium du Dauphiné amounts to 136 kilometres and takes in two massive intermediate climbs. The race comes down to the last kilometre of the final haul up. Adam Yates strikes, gobbles up early attacker Dani Navarro, and powers to victory. Geraint Thomas wins the GC ahead of Yates and Romain Bardet. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 7th stage Critérium du Dauphiné 2018

1. Adam Yates (gbr)
2. Daniel Navarro (spa) + 0.04
3. Romain Bardet (fra) + 0.09
4. Emanuel Buchmann (ger) + 0.14
5. Geraint Thomas (gbr) + 0.19
6. Daniel Martin (irl) + 0.24
7. Damiano Caruso (ita) s.t.
8. Guillaume Martin (fra) + 0.28
9. Pierre Latour (fra) + 0.35
10. Pierre Rolland (fra) + 0.41

Final GC Critérium du Dauphiné 2018

1. Geraint Thomas (gbr)
2. Adam Yates (gbr) + 1.00
3. Romain Bardet (fra) + 1.47
4. Daniel Martin (irl) + 2.35
5. Damiano Caruso (ita) + 2.44
6. Emanuel Buchmann (ger) + 3.05
7. Pierre Latour (fra) + 4.05
8. Pierre Rolland (fra) + 4.22
9. Daniel Navarro (spa) + 4.31
10. Ilnur Zakarin (rus) + 4.45

Race report
Despite a lot of attacks, the pack is still bunched on the first slopes of the Cormet de Roselend. The riders tackle the ascent on the side where they descended yesterday.

On the climb Navarro, Gaudu and Ravasi open up a gap, while Tolhoek tracks them down with Rolland and Alaphilippe. The six reach the crest 2 minutes ahead of the main group, which is still the gap on the summit of the Col des Saisies.

Thomas punctures on descent and AG2R ups the pace. With the help of a number of domestics the leader closes the gap of 50 seconds.

Jungels crashes with 25 kms to go, but he is able to continue.

On the steep Côte des Amerands, the punchy penultimate climb, Gaudu heads out alone, while Bardet strikes in the GC group. Thomas and Yates follow him like shadows. Dan Martin loses contact, but he returns just before the last climb. Soler is gone, though.

Navarro gobbles up Gaudu with 6 kms to climb and continues on his own. Dan Martin accelerates with 4 kms out and Thomas, Yates, Bardet and Buchmann follow. Rolland hooks on.

Buchmann goes and Yates closes the gap with Thomas and Bardet on his wheel. Martin is dropped. Buchmann goes again. Bardet jumps to his wheel with Yates close behind. Thomas closes the gap with a steady effort.

Yet, the Welshman can’t respond when Yates strikes in the last kilometre. He is on to Navarro and tracks him down with 50 metres to go and wins the stage. Thomas finishes 19 seconds behind, which is enough to secure the overall victory. Yates and Bardet round out the podium, 1 minute and 1.47 back.