The first stage of the Critérium du Dauphiné was won by Briton Peter Kennaugh (Team Sky) and saw Kenny Elissonde get back into racing one week after the Giro. While not having great feelings, the leader of the FDJ team hopes to shine in the weekend.

"For riders who have just finished the Giro d'Italia, it is not easy to get back," sports director Thierry Bricard said. "They have to get back into the rhythm at some point but it is always difficult to start again. Kenny is one of them and he told me that he had no power but he was still in the front group. He has a few days to get back into racing mode and at some point he will be back. In the weekend he will have the opportunity to express himself."

Arnold Jeannesson is making his comeback and knows that he has to go through some difficult times. In stage 1m it was not good and it was a real contrast with the feelings that he had at the end of the Tour of Belgium.

"Laurent Pichon had no luck. He was caught in a crash after three kilometers and has suffered a bit all day. But he finished and this is most important," Bricaud said.