Everything is still going according to plan for the German NetApp-Endura team at the Critérium du Dauphiné following yesterday’s 32.5km individual time trial.

As expected Jan Barta delivered with a solid performance in yesterday’s race against the clock. Clocking in at 38:30 the Czech time trial champion finished 8th on the day thus besting the times of such renowned TT experts as Marco Pinotti (BMC), Geraint Thomas (Sky) and Michael Rogers (Saxo-Tinkoff).

By finishing 8th yesterday, Barta confirmed his previous time trial achievements of the season, including 4th at the Giro del Trentino, 3rd at the Bayern-Rundfahrt and victory at the Szlakiem Grodòw Piastowskich. “We are very pleased with Jan’s result today,” said Sports Director Ralph Denk. “We are equally pleased with Leo’s achievement today. He was one of the best GC riders today and has positioned himself nicely prior to the decisive stages in the mountains.”

Leopold König, team mate and compatriot of Barta, finished 12th yesterday and moved up to 8th overall, just 1’11” behind new leader Rohan Dennis (Garmin-Sharp).

Today’s 5th stage begins in Grésy-sur-Aix and covers 139km before the summit finish in Valmorel at an altitude of 1.369 metres. The final climb is 12.7 km long and boasts an average gradient of 7 %. “Tomorrow [today] will be a day of truth,” said Denk. “There won’t be too many tactics involved. The strongest rider will win.”

In mid May König won the queen stage at the Tour of California with a spectacular win atop the Mt. Diablo (17 km @ 5.7 %). While it will be difficult to land a repeat win in Valmorel, König may well be some people’s outsider for a stage win today.