The 67th edition of the Critérium du Dauphiné began on Sunday with a 131.5km circuit race around Albertville. A nervous peloton completed six circuit laps, each of which included a short, sharp 1.2km climb. Cannondale-Garmin prioritized keeping Dauphiné defending champion Andrew Talansky and Dan Martin safe over the undulating stage.

“It was a short opening stage but on a tricky circuit with a tough little climb,” noted sport director Andreas Klier. “The goal was to make it as comfortable as possible for Andrew and Dan, which we achieved.”

A four-man breakaway energized the early action. The escape group would gain a maximum advantage of seven minutes as Cannondale-Garmin and Lampre-Merida worked at the front of the peloton

“We started riding early with Kristijian [Koren], and this made it easy for the rest of the guys to place themselves in the bunch,” said Klier. “Andrew and Dan were always well-positioned.”

As the gap tumbled and the breakaway split in two, Nathan Haas went on the attack, jumping out from the bunch 13km from the finish. His acceleration inspired a swift reaction and as the race went from formulaic to spirited in an instant.

Peter Kennaugh (Sky) took a late race flyer just as the peloton was about to catch the six-man group that had taken shape in response to the attack by Haas. Two kilometres from the finish, Kennaugh was able to gain a small gap, but it was gap enough to hold off the chasing peloton in the final two kilometers.

Talansky and Martin as well as Ramunas Navardauskas finished safely in the front bunch,, two seconds behind Kennaugh.

“It was a good first stage,” said Klier. “It sets us up well for the race.”

Talansky agreed with Klier’s assessment, adding: “Today was a great start to the Dauphine. All the guys took care of me, and I couldn’t have asked for a smoother or easier ride. Everyone is quite fit and motivated. We are looking forward to the days ahead.”

The Dauphiné continues on Tuesday with a 173km stage between Le Bourget-du-Lac and Parc des Oiseaux Villars-les-Dombes. While the stage includes a category two climb nearly from the gun and a category one climb mid-race, both are far enough from the finish that the sprinters have to like their chances for stage glory.