Dylan Teuns claims Dauphine lead with stage 2 win

Dylan Teuns (Bahrain-Merida) took the Criterium du Dauphine overall lead after beating Guillaume Martin (Wanty-Gobert) in a tense sprint finish to Monday’s second stage.

Teuns and Martin finished 13 seconds ahead of the peloton despite a late attempt to rein them in by the chasing pack which included Chris Froome, who is looking for a record fourth overall win in the eight-stage race.

The Belgian claimed the yellow jersey from Edvald Boasson Hagen who won Sunday’s opening stage but came in 1min 48sec behind on the second.

“At the end of the race it went really well with Guillaume Martin. I have to thank him for it. We held out well,” Teuns said. “I’ve been waiting for this win for a year-and-a-half, I’ve finished second or third a lot, mainly at the Vuelta. I’m proud to wear this yellow jersey.

“Tomorrow (Tuesday) I have a chance because it seems a little easier. On the time-trial (on Wednesday) I’ll give everything to keep it,” he added.

Chris Froome is preparing for this year’s Grand Boucle and forms a part of a six-man group 24sec behind Teuns on the general classification.

Tuesday’s 177km third stage heads north and includes four testing climbs on the route through central France from Le Puy-en-Velay to the town of Riom outside Clermont-Ferrand.

Critérium du Dauphiné 2019 – stage 2 results (Mauriac – Craponne-sur-Arzon):

Critérium du Dauphiné 2019 – general classification after stage 2: