Sprint win for Ackermann as Impey takes overall lead in Dauphine
Pascal Ackermann won the second stage of the Criterium du Dauphine in a sprint yesterday, while Daryl Impey claimed the overall lead thanks to a time bonus.
Previous leader Michal Kwiatkowski crashed toward the end of the 181-kilometre hilly trek across the vineyards of the Beaujolais region between Montbrison and Belleville.
It was Ackermann’s second professional victory after he claimed a stage win at the Tour of Romandie earlier this season.
Impey finished the stage in third position and has a twosecond lead over Kwiatkowski in the general classification.
The 24-year-old Ackermann won the sprint ahead of Edvald Boasson Hagen after Kwiatkowski had crashed on a roundabout with two kilometres left.
Afterwards, Kwiatkowski said: “I probably went a bit too quick into the roundabout, maybe one pedal revolution too much, trying to catch Geraint Thomas’ wheel, and yeah, I was directly on the ground. I couldn’t avoid it. That was a bad moment. I just hope I’m all right. I think I’m all right… It’s hard to say. I’ve taken some skin off, but apart from that I think I’m all right,” added the Pole.
“I should be fine. Let’s hope I can stay quite relaxed without any hurt, and that I won’t have any pain on my time trial bike tomorrow, which will be important.
“I believe it’s not [something that will affect me in the mountain stages]. Let’s see how I feel tomorrow morning.”
Today’s third stage is a 35-kilometre team time trial.