Young American Andrew Talansky went from top-ten contender to potential dark horse with his Criterium du Dauphine success.

Capable of challenging overall in the prestigious one-week races – he was second at the 2012 Tour de Romandie and 2013 Paris-Nice – the American would not be denied a third time as he powered away from the yellow jersey group on the final stage.

His steady season, which has included solid showings on the likes of Alp, Vallter 2000 and the Col du Beal shows he is in good nick when it comes to climbing, and alongside compatriot Tejay van Garderen he is certainly a contender for the white jersey.

He will certainly be a marked man now, though, after Alberto Contador allowed him to slip from his grasp at the Dauphine. Tenth last year, to challenge overall would take some doing but the white jersey is the very least he could achieve. And having pulled on one yellow jersey already, he has shown he has every right to be considered a maillot jaune contender too.