10 June 2016, Vaujany (FRA)
Stage 5 of the Critérium du Dauphiné saw the General Classification contenders come out to play, with Richie Porte going head to head with Chris Froome (Team Sky) on the final climb.
After multiple breakaways, the race came back together with five kilometers to go, making the way for attacks from all directions.
Porte and Froome attacked to distance themselves from Alberto Contador (Tinkoff) in the final three kilometers, with Froome just distancing himself in the final 200 meters, to take the stage win, one second in front of Porte.
Porte’s second place result has bumped him back up to second place overall, seven seconds behind new race leader Froome.
Quotes of the Day
Richie Porte:
“The team was really good around me today so I’m happy with how things are. To be honest it was probably better than expected. It was a really hard day. Today showed that I’m in a good place. To ride away with Froomey like is a good sign. For the moment I’ll enjoy this, it’s a good result.”
“I knew it was hard from six to two kilometers but when Froomey attacked like that and you see guys crack, it gives you a bit more inspiration to keep pushing on. We still put good time into the other guys, so I’m happy with that. Both Froomey and I are in good form for July, we’re both going so well. It’s a little bit different to be riding for yourself and I’m quite enjoying it.”
“Obviously Contador didn’t have a good day but there’s still two more days to come, and it’s still not July. The goal now is to recover as best as possible for the Queen Stage tomorrow.”
Valerio Piva, Sports Director:
“It was the first of three important uphill finishes so to see Richie take second place, it’s a good result. He was strong and the team was around him the whole day. It was a very hard day and very fast, and there were a lot of attacks throughout the stage. We had two guys in the 25-rider breakaway, Greg Van Avermaet and Rohan Dennis, and then when they were caught we were there to keep Richie in a good position. In the end Froome showed that he is strong, Richie showed he is also strong, so I’m optimistic for the next two days.”
R ace Profile
Critérium du Dauphiné (2.UWT)
La Ravoire ‘ Vaujany (140k)
Top 3: Chris Froome (Team SKY), Richie Porte (BMC Racing Team), Adam Yates (Orica GreenEDGE)
BMC Racing Team Top 3: 2. Richie Porte, 16. Damiano Caruso, 37. Ben Hermans
