Pre-race outsider and favourite, Richie Porte and Chris Froome (Sky), both made strong and convincing starts to the Critérium du Dauphiné by finishing in fourth and fifth places respectively on the opening stage today.

The duo were paced up the final climb of the day at the head of the peloton after some fine work by Geraint Thomas and then kicked on along the closing straight to stay out of trouble and simultaneously seal their top-five positions.

The stage had been won one minute and 57 seconds earlier by David Veilleux. The Europcar rider had attacked from a four-man breakaway on the Col du Corbier before battling on brilliantly for a brave solo victory.

Back at the hotel, Sky Sports Director Nicolas Portal was more than pleased with the events of the day and praised his riders’ efforts:

“Everything went really well for us today,” he said on the Sky website. “We had to be alert from the start due to that early climb, but once the break had gone we were happy for their advantage to grow.

“Movistar went flat out on the Corbier which caused many riders to be shelled, but when they caught Tony Martin they realised they couldn’t go for the stage win and they took their foot off the gas. That’s when Pete Kennaugh and Geraint Thomas moved onto the front and did a brilliant job to pace Froomey and Richie up that last climb."

“Fourth and fifth is a great result for them and they always looked comfortable today.”

Monday’s stage is another undulating affair and sees the peloton travel 191km between Chatel and Oyonnax. Ever mindful of  the big picture, Portal revealed the plan would remain unchanged, with the emphasis on Froome and Porte not losing any time on their rivals rather than searching for a stage win.

“We saw a lot of big time gaps open up today, which means the break could well stay away tomorrow, and that suits us because we’re more concerned with the overall as opposed to stage win.”