On the second stage of the Criterium du Dauphine, 173 km had to be completed. The Plateau de Retord marked the first obstacle of the day, 100 kilometers from the finish. Wind in the last 30 kilometers and a hectic finale completed a day that could have endangered many ambitions. But BORA – ARGON 18 was always attentive and the team was especially visible working at the front in the wind section.

Shortly after the start the field granted three riders to escape. However after two thirds of the stagem the gap was already fallen below two minutes so nothing stood in the way of a bunch sprint. Nacer Bouhanni (Cofidis) won clearly ahead of Samuel Dumoulin (AG2R) and Sacha Modolo (Lampre Merida). The BORA – ARGON 18 riders finished in the peloton and without loss of time. A team time trial over 24.5 kilometers will be on the program tomorrow – it will provide first differences in the overall standings.

"Today we did not want to be represented in a small group. It was much more about saving energy for the upcoming days and to avoid all risks. Therefore, the climbs and wind situations in the finals had to be ridden in good positions. It worked out very well and we haven’t been involved in any crash. So that was a good stage where we really saved energy", Sports Director Enrico Poitschke explains the day.

"Tomorrow's team time trial is important. Not only for our ambitions here at the Dauphine, but also because we want to test us for the Tour de France. These include the procedures before a team time trial, which are just as important as the race itself. Of course, we‘ll go for the maximum tomorrow and then we will see what’s in for us", Poitschke looks ahead.