If it was not already clear how exciting this year’s Tour de France promises to be, we were given a stunning reminder on stage two of the Criterium du Dauphine.
Chris Froome (Team Sky) and Alberto Contador (Tinkoff-Saxo) were simply peerless as they powered up the Col du Beal, jumping out of the saddle and setting an almost seamless rhythm up the hors categorie climb.
Vincenzo Nibali (Astana), Jurgen van den Broeck (Lotto-Belisol) and Wilco Kelderman (Belkin) gave a spirited chase but there was only ever going to be one winner – Froome, for the second time in two days.
If this is to be a dress rehearsal for the Tour, the Kenyan-born Brit has his role down to a tee at the moment.
Relive the stage in the full-screen gallery of Stefano Sirotti’s photos below.
