The first visit of the Critérium du Dauphiné to Switzerland was good news for Canada.
David Veilleux (Europcar) became the second Canadian to win a stage of the traditional pre-Tour warm-up, following Steve Bauer’s triumph of 25 years ago.
The manner of Veilleux’s victory provided still greater reason for celebration in his home of Quebec. Launching his attack after just 3km, and riding solo for the final 50km after shedding his breakaway companions, this was truly a win to celebrate.
Chris Froome (Team Sky), Alberto Contador (Saxo-Tinkoff), Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha), the most fancied men for overall victory, finished safely in the bunch, with Froome the first of them home in fifth.
Tomorrow will bring more climbing, courtesy of six categorised peaks on the road from Chatel to Oyonnax.
Stefano Sirotti, our man with the lens in the UCI WorldTour peloton, soaked up the sunshine in Switzerland today, capturing these superb images from Champéry.
