A stage featuring l’Alpe d’Huez was never likely to be dull, and the Queen stage of the 2013 Critérium du Dauphiné delivered an exciting denouement.
The iconic Alpine climb, set to feature twice in this year’s centenary Tour de France, was a mere staging post today, but allowed the strong men of the mountains to stretch their legs.
Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha) and Team Sky’s Richie Porte were among those to try attacks, while Alberto Contador (Saxo-Tinkoff) set tempo for almost the entire stage in support of team-mate, Michael Rogers.
But the day belonged to two men: Euskaltel-Euskadi’s stage winner, Samuel Sanchez, seemingly returned to his very best form, and race leader, Chris Froome, who posted another day of complete control.
Tomorrow’s gruelling final stage could yet change everything, however.
Enjoy this gallery of all the action from the 187.5km Queen stage from Le Pont-de-Claix to Superdevoluy from Stefano Sirotti.
