"After altitude training this was the first time up a real climb and I'm very satisfied."

Those were the words of Astana's Michele Scarponi after stage five of the Critérium du Dauphiné. Scarponi arrived in the top positions at the end of a stage with five climbs, including the 2.250m Col d'Allos. He finished eight with a 57 second deficit to stage winner Romain Bardet of France and is now fourth in the General classification, 31 seconds behind new race leader Tejay Van Garderen.

Tour de France champion Vincenzo Nibali could only manage 22nd and gave Scarponi the green light to ride for himself.

"My engine was not at its best but in the morning I felt that the sensations were not terrible. When I was dopped on the Pra-Loup climb, just over two kilometers from the summit, I gave the green light to Michele to ride for himself because he could keep a good position in the standings and I had decided to go to the finish without making extra efforts," he told L'Equipe.