Orica-GreenEDGE had a low-key start to the Criterium du Dauphiné and now hope to play a more prominent role in tomorrow's first mountain stage. The rider that is set to deliver the goods is young talent Adam Yates who will be expected to shine on the final climb.

Chris Froome (Team Sky) won the opening stage time trial at the Critérium du Daphiné. The defending champion stopped the clock at 13’13 over the 10.4 kilometre course. Alberto Contador (Tinkoff-Saxo) slotted into second place with a time of 13’21 while Bob Jungels (Trek Factory Racing) spent most of the day in the hot seat before ultimately rounding out the stage podium.

Daryl Impey was the best-placed rider for ORICA-GreenEDGE. The South African National Time Trial Champion posted a time of 13’30, which proved good for 22nd place. U23 Time Trial World Champion Damien Howson finished a few seconds behind Impey at 22” in 26th place.

"With a first stage time trial, everyone typically goes out there with the intent of doing their best ride," sports director Matt Wilson said. "It’s always a good opener and an opportunity to gauge fitness. We had no specific goals going in, and no one was just cruising through the stage.

"For guys like Daryl Impey and Damien Howson, who tend to focus more on the time trial, there’s always a bit of extra pressure. All the guys had put in pretty decent rides, and the results showed that.

"I don’t know if the live broadcast captured the course well. It was really beautiful with the tunnel, the climb, the descent and the water. It was a good way to open what will be a tough week of racing.

"We’re expecting tomorrow to be a hard day. All the overall contenders are going to light it up. Our main objective is to put Adam Yates into the best position possible before the final climb and see what he can do in the finale."