59th Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré - PT

France, June 10-17, 2007

Main Page Results & report Stage Details Previous Stage Next Stage

Stage 5 - June 15: Nyons - Digne-les-Bains, 195km

Live commentary by Gregor Brown & Bjorn Haake

Live coverage starts: 15:30 CEST
Estimated finish: 16:15 CEST

Complete live report

15:28 CEST 170km/25km to go
Hello and welcome back to Cyclingnews' live coverage from the 59th edition of the Dauphiné Libéré.

Today the 195-kilometre stage goes from Nyons to Digne-les-Bains. The route's profile is a little easier than yesterday's uphill finish at the Ventoux, but the riders will face a cat 2 climb with about 16 km to go.

15:32 CEST 174km/21km to go
Ag2r is leading the chase of the peloton which is 4'20 back.

15:35 CEST
A 22-man break was up the road most of the day, but now with the final climb of the Col du Corobin approaching, this group is breaking up.

Antonio Colom of Astana is leading the race with 19 seconds over a group of 6, including his leader Alex Vinokourov.

15:36 CEST 176km/19km to go
Vino attacks out of the group and tries to bridge up to Colom.

15:38 CEST
Vino is in the saddle and powers up the hill. He is looking very strong.

He has now reached his teammate Colom.

15:39 CEST
The group behind the two Astana rider's consists of Iker Camaño (Saunier Duval-Prodir), Leonardo Duque (Cofidis), Preben Van Hecke (Predictor-Lotto) and
Matej Mugerli (Liquigas)

15:40 CEST
Bobby Julich and Alejandro Valverde have abandoned the race earlier. The Spaniard could not recover from his stomach ailment.

15:42 CEST
Van Hecke is trying to leave the group of 5, but he can't really get away and he turns around several times. Not a sign of confidence.

15:44 CEST
It's a beautiful day here in France, and nice to get some riding in.

Which is what Tom Boonen did this afternoon, being in the original break of 22. But he is now caught by the peloton.

15:47 CEST
After initial work by Colom it is now Vino on the front. Colom is labouring hard to stay on the captain's wheel. He is suffering, but then who wouldn't behind the Kazakh's wheel?

15:49 CEST 179km/16km to go
The lead duo has now gone over the summit of the cat 2 climb, followed by Leonardo Duque of Cofidis and Stef Clement (Bouygues Telecom).

The finish is 16km form the top.

15:50 CEST
Ag2r is still leading the peloton to defend the second place from Moreau, who is 16 seconds behind in GC.

15:52 CEST
Overall leader Andrey Kashechkin is in the main group as well.

Moreau is leading both, the points and the mountains classification. He is riding in the green point's jersey today.

15:54 CEST
The two rider from Astana are still in the lead and are blasting down the descent.

The roads are narrow and they have to be very careful. One mistake and it's over.

15:55 CEST
The main field is still some four minutes behind.

15:58 CEST 187km/8km to go
A group of four with Van Hecke, Mugerli, Camaño and Charteau is chasing behind.

15:59 CEST
Duque and Clement are the second group on the road, behind the two Astana's and ahead of the four-man group.

16:00 CEST 189km/6km to go
The three distinct front groups have finished the narrow descent without any problems.

16:01 CEST 190km/5km to go
They are now on the easier part of the downhill and have just entered the town of Digne-les-Bains, where the race will finish.

16:01 CEST
The front duo is leading with 38 seconds over the 2-man group behind them.

There are 5km left to go.

16:02 CEST
This is looking good for Astana, who is also enjoying the very good pavement, not necessarily true everywhere in France.

16:03 CEST
The lead is now 35 seconds over Duque and Clemens and 40 seconds over the four-man group.

16:04 CEST 193km/2km to go
Vino and Colom take a round about, which is much easier with two people than it is with the whole field.

16:05 CEST
The second and third group on the road are now only 5 seconds apart form each other.

16:05 CEST 194km/1km to go
The Astana's are flying and are hitting the last kilometre.

16:06 CEST
Vino talks to Colom. They are figuring out the finishing order.

16:07 CEST
Vino lets Colom win, both are crossing the line hand in hand!!

16:08 CEST
The chasing group within 15 seconds, but could not catch the Astana's.

16:09 CEST
Third place goes to Duque from Colombia.

16:09 CEST
The peloton comes in at around 3'30".

16:12 CEST
Ok, thanks for joining us on our live coverage, which was a little short today. The race finished quite early. Please check back on the Cyclingnews website for a full report and all the results.

A demain.

Provisional Results

1 Antonio Colom (Spa) Astana
2 Alexander Vinokourov (Kaz) Astana
3 Leonardo Duque (Col) Cofidis
4 Matej Mugerli (Slo) Liquigas
5 Stef Clement (Ned) Bouygues Telecom
 
General classification after stage 5
 
1 Andrey Kashechkin (Kaz) Astana