Impey on fire at World Tour race
South Africa's reliable cycling hero wins the first stage of the challenging Criterium du Dauphine, continuing his fine form in 2018.
South Africa’s Daryl Impey celebrates as he crosses the finish line to win the first stage of the 70th edition of the Criterium du Dauphine cycling race between Valence and Saint-Just-Saint-Rambert, southeastern France, on June 4, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Philippe LOPEZ
Road cyclist Daryl Impey secured another World Tour victory in France on Monday, taking the first stage of the Criterium du Dauphine.
After finishing 12th in the 6.6km prologue on Sunday, Impey won a bunch sprint at the end of the 179km leg between Valence and Saint-Just-Saint-Rambert, after more than four hours on the road.
The South African rider, competing for professional team Mitchelton-Scott, was lying second in the general classification with six stages remaining in the annual contest.
“It was a tough day all day. I actually didn’t feel too good,” Impey said.
“I told (teammate) Alex Edmondson he should go for the final (sprint) himself and if I am there at the end I will try, but don’t look after me.
“So I surprised myself at the end.”
Polish rider Michal Kwiatkowski (Team Sky), who won the prologue, retained the overall lead just two seconds ahead of Impey.
Earlier this season, Impey earned his first general classification victory on the World Tour, lifting the overall crown at the Tour Down Under in Australia.
