LES GETS, France, June 10, 2011 – Christophe Kern of Europcar won the
fifth stage of the Criterium du Dauphine here on Friday to snap a six-year
winless streak, with Britain’s Bradley Wiggins of Team Sky retaining the
leader’s jersey.

Kern gave the French contingent a first stage win of this edition by seeing
off Dane Chris Sorensen of Saxobank by 7sec following a moderate climb over
the final 10.7 kilometres to land the longest stage of the race (210km).

Kern’s team-mate Thomas Voeckler, who had been expected to challenge hard
for the stage win in his own right, protected the former as he launched his
final attack to win in 5hr 05min 03sec.

Voeckler came in third at 9sec, just edging Spaniard Joaquim Rodriguez of
Katyusha off the podium as Kern made his move for the line 2.5km out.

Wiggins himself finished in the closing pack, which included Voeckler,
Rodriguez and Alexandre Vinokourov of Astana.

Kern explained he just felt Friday would be his day from the outset.

“My legs felt great from the start of the race. I was protected on this
stage with Thomas, particularly with regard to setting sights on the top ten
in the overall standings.

“I decided to go on the attack – that’s how I see cycling.

“I knew if I was reined in over the final kilometre, then Thomas would
finish the job.”

On recording his first win for six seasons Kern, who recently returned from
serious knee problems, added: “Six years without winning – that’s a long time.
I’ve come close several times, such as in 2009 for my first Tour de France.

“But I always stayed strong mentally and the team always kept faith with me
and didn’t put me under pressure.”

Wiggins was meanwhile happy to savour a strong showing which means he can
realistically hope to come out on top in two days time.

“The team worked very well. There were a lot of attacks in the final
section but everyone was in a bunch on the final climb.

Wiggins took over the yellow jersey after Wednesday’s time trial and
comfortably kept pace with the leading racers on the climb despite Belgian
Juergen van den Broeck trying to unsettle him.

The Briton was ably assisted by Edvald Boasson Hagen and Geraint Thomas as
he stayed on course for glory.

“It was not steep enough to build big gaps,” Wiggins explained of the climb
and the resultant bunched finish.

Wiggins has a 1min 11sec lead over Australian Cadel Evans and a 1:21
advantage over defending champion Janez Brajkovic of Slovenia, but will still
have to work hard with Saturday’s stage including tough climbs – the Col du
Grand Cucheron and the Collet d’Allevard.

Asked about the latter Wiggins said “I don’t know the gradient. I’m told
it’s very steep but that goes for all the riders.”

Stage
1. Christophe Kern (FRA/EUC) 210.0km in 5hr 05min 03sec.
2. Chris Anker Sorensen (DEN/SAX) at 0:07sec
3. Thomas Voeckler (FRA/EUC) 0:09
4. Joaquin Rodriguez (ESP/KAT) 0:09
5. Alexandre Vinokourov (KAZ/AST) 0:09
6. Bradley Wiggins (GBR/SKY) 0:09
7. Thibaut Pinot (FRA/FDJ) 0:09
8. Daniel Martin (EIR/GRM) 0:09
9. Juergen Van den Broeck (BEL/OLO) 0:09
10. Ben Hermans (BEL/RSH) 0:09
11. Cadel Evans (AUS/BMC) 0:09
12. Christophe Riblon (FRA/ALM) 0:09
13. Samuel Sanchez (ESP/EUS) 0:09
14. Jerome Coppel (FRA/SAU) 0:09
15. Jean-Christophe Péraud (FRA/ALM) 0:09
16. David Moncoutie (FRA/COF) 0:09
17. Janez Brajkovic (SLO/RSH) 0:09
18. Kanstantsin Siutsou (BLR/HTC) 0:09
19. Ivan Basso (ITA/LIQ) 0:09
20. Rui Costa (POR/MOV) 0:19

Selected
77. Edvald Boasson Hagen (NOR/SKY) 4:12
163. Nicolas Roche (EIR/ALM) 25:06
DNS: Brice Feillu (FRA/LEO), Blel Kadri (FRA/ALM)
DNF: Vladimir Gusev (RUS/KAT), Juan Jose Haedo (ARG/SAX), Lucas Haedo
(ARG/SAX), Andy Cappelle (BEL/QST)

Overall
1. Bradley Wiggins (GBR/SKY) 18hr02min30sec
2. Cadel Evans (AUS/BMC) at 1:11
3. Janez Brajkovic (SLO/RSH) 1:21
4. Alexandre Vinokourov (KAZ/AST) 1:56
5. Rui Alberto Costa (POR/MOV) 2:22
6. Juergen Van den Broeck (BEL/OLO) 2:28
7. Christophe Riblon (FRA/ALM) 2:45
8. Ben Hermans (BEL/RSH) 2:46
9. Jerome Coppel (FRA/SAU) 2:52
10. Kanstantsin Siutsou (BLR/HTC) 2:52
11. Christophe Kern (FRA/EUC) 3:05
12. Jean Christophe Peraud (FRA/ALM) 3:18
13. Thomas Voeckler (FRA/EUC) 3:23
14. David Moncoutie (FRA/COF) 3:54
15. Joaquin Rodriguez (ESP/KAT) 3:55
16. Rein Taaramae (EST/COF) 4:09
17. Rob Ruygh (NED/VAC) 4:11
18. Samuel Sanchez (ESP/EUS) 4:15
19. Bruno Pires (POR/LEO) 4:17
20. Thomas Rohregger (AUT/LEO) 4:30

Selected:
52. Edvald Boasson Hagen (NOR/SKY) 9:08
131. Nicolas Roche (IRL/ALM) 28:23

Article:AFP
Photo:Corvos