Joaquim Rodriguez Oliver wins final stage of 2011 Criterium du Dauphine 2011: Cycling News
Katusha team’s Joaquim Rodriguez Oliver won the seventh and the final stage of 2011 Criterium du Dauphine in La Toussuire on Sunday, June 12. Bradley Wiggins retained his overall leader’s yellow jersey.
The 32-year-old Joaquim took a total of 3 hours, 24 minutes and 30 seconds to cover a final distance of 117.5 kilometres.
Thibaut Pinot of the FDJ team was in the second spot with 8 seconds behind the Spaniard. Robert Gesink of Rabobank finished third with same timing of Pinot.
After 12 kilometres, the first breakaway was created by eleven riders who escaped nine cyclists, including Andrey Zeits, Leonardo Duque, Tristan Valentin, Sébastien Minard, Maarten Tjallingii, Pierre Rolland, Alexandre Kolobnev, Imanol Erviti, Julien Vermote
and Kristian Koren.
All of them took an advantage of 4 minutes and 45 seconds over the peloton. The Katusha team kept the race under control.
The French rider, Pinot, was in good form in the top of the Col de la Croix de Fer. Thomas Voeckler attacked from the bunch with two riders, Juan Manuel Garate and David Moncoutie.
With final 10 kilometres to go, the trio worked together and built an advantage of 40 seconds. Rigoberto Uran tried his best to maintain his pace for his team-mate, Wiggins.
Wiggins tried his best to cross the nine riders, but he failed and grabbed the 10th spot. Pinot and Joaquim were leading in the last 2 kilometres and finally Joaquim crossed the finish-line to secure his victory.
Thibaut won the title of best young rider ahead of Robert Gesink and Rob Ruijgh. Joaquim was also leading in Mountain classification with 63 points.
Bradley Wiggins took a lead in overall classification with a timing of 26 hours, 40 minutes and 51 seconds. Cadel Evans of BMC racing was runner-up with 1 minute and 26 seconds.
Wiggins said, "We have a plan for the Tour de France and the Dauphine was part of the plan, I am just going to have to ride my race, not put myself in the red in trying to follow (Alberto) Contador and (Andy) Schleck. But it’s clear that the podium is certainly
a real possibility.”
Alexandre Vinkourov finished third with a difference of 1 minute and 49 seconds, while the stage winner, Joaquim, was in fifth spot.
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