Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) wins the first stage of the Tour of the Dauphiné in a sprint, starting and finishing in Saint-Pourçain-sur-Sioule (172.5 km).

Le Berre and Donovan break away in the early stages of the race, gaining a maximum advantage of close to 5' over the main group. The two runners are caught 16 km from the finish.

The long final straight, with a favorable road, takes the group quickly towards the final sprint. The Lidl-Trek organized itself perfectly in the last kilometers with the train made up of Skujins-Kirsch-Gibbons who launched Pedersen at the right times who triumphed ahead of Bennet and Page . Good sixth place for Gazzoli, best among the Italians.

ARRIVAL ORDER:

1 PEDERSEN Mads Lidl - Trek 4:01:30

2 BENNETT Sam Decathlon AG2R The World Team ,,

3 PAGE Hugo Intermarché - Wanty ,,

4 VENTURINI Clément Arkéa - B&B Hotels ,,

5 DOULL Owain EF Education - EasyPost,,

6 GAZZOLI Michele Astana Qazaqstan Team,,

7 GARCÍA CORTINA Iván Movistar Team ,,

8 WRIGHT Fred Bahrain - Victorious,,

9 RUSSO Clément Groupama - FDJ,,

10 CORT Magnus Uno-X Mobility,,

Photo: Sprint Cycling Agency