BMC missed the break i today's stage of the Criterium du Dauphiné and so chose to focus their efforts on protecting Tejay van Garderen's GC position. The team is now looking forward to the mountain stages in the weekend where they hope to see the American move up in the overall standings.

The BMC Racing Team concentrated on protecting Tejay van Garderen and his place in the overall standings Friday heading into the final two days of racing at the Critérium du Dauphiné. Jan Bakelants (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) took the stage win ahead of Lieuwe Westra (Astana Pro Team) as the pair shook free from a 16-man breakaway late in the 178.5-kilometer race. V

an Garderen finished 38th and in the peloton that arrived 3:55 later. He is 16th overall, 2:22 back of race leader Chris Froome (Team Sky), as Bakelants moved ahead of him and BMC Racing Team's Darwin Atapuma, who is 21st, 3:31 behind.

BMC Racing Team's Peter Velits said it was good a breakaway contested the stage win because the final kilometers were so technical.

"Today was supposed to be a flat stage, but toward the end it got hilly and the road got smaller," he said. "So that is why it got a bit dangerous. We even saw Froome crash in one of the corners. So the final was a little bit stressful. And the finish was a bit tricky."

Sport Director Yvon Ledanois said he was glad the BMC Racing Team's six riders remaining in the race were able to enjoy a bit of rest and cooler temperatures.

"The focus is on Saturday: we want to have two or three riders with Tejay," he said. "Today was a good day for recovery."