Kenny Elissonde ended the Criterium du Dauphine on a good note. In the queen stage with six climbs, he took from FDJ teammate Arnaud Courteille by going on the attack. Unfortunately, the break was doomed by Team Sky that worked for the final 70 kilometres to set Crhis Froome up for the win.
"We are pleased with Kenny," spoirts director Thierry Bricaud said. "This morning he was asked to be in front and he was there . Finally, as I had feared, the stage was decided by the GC riders but after he was caught on the final climb, Kenny did not give up. He did not sit up and managed to finish sixteenth."
Arnaud Courteille was again very active as he joined an attack by Pierre Rolland on the Col de Tamié before being brough back. Bricaud also noted that Benoît Vaugrenard was still fresh and hoped to see him on the attack in the final stage.
Things didn't work for Vaugrenard as the team missed the break on the final day. They certainly suffered in this Critérium du Dauphiné but the race turned out to be a breakthrough for Courteille.
Having been on the attack twice and stayed with the GC riders in the tough stage to Villard-de-Lans, he finished his great Critérium du Dauphiné by reaching the top of the Valfrejus climb in 23rd place, two minutes behind the winner.
"Arnaud is our great satisfaction," Thierry Bricaud said. "He finished the week well. Although he lacks some freshness after the Giro, he was still ready this morning. It gives me insurance for the future. He will recover a little but he will be a protagonist in the French Championships of France."
The stage, won by Froome who also won overall, saw a breakaway of 13 riders that was created at the third kilometer without any FDJ rider.
"I am not disappointed because only Kenny and Arnaud would have had a chance to get far and they had already had their days. Furthermore, the break did nok make it so we have no regrets. I am also satisfied with Benoit Vaugrenard's race. When there were only 50 or 60 riders, he was still there with Arnaud. He has managed his week will since he was going better and better."
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