Champery, Switzerland – Canada's David Veilleux of Europcar won the first stage of the Criterium du Dauphine, a 121km ride around Champery on Sunday.
The 25-year-old took the leader's jersey after coming home almost two minutes ahead of the peloton, with Belgian Gianni Meersman coming in second ahead of Dutchman Tom-Jelte Slagter and Australia's Richie Porte.
In a stage that began and ended in Switzerland but was raced for the majority in France, Veilleux escaped just 3km in, accompanied by Thomas Damuseau, Jean-Marie Bideau and Ricardo Garcia.
He left his fellow escapees behind on the Col du Corbier climb with 47km left.
World time-trial champion Tony Martin of Germany launched a counter-attack but was swallowed up in the final 15km.
Monday's second stage will see the peloton ride over a hilly 191km from Chatel to Oyonnax. – Sapa-AFP