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60th Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré - ProT
France, June 8-15, 2008
Photography
Stage 7 - June 15: Saint-Jean-de Maurienne - Grenoble, 128km
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Images by AFP Photo
- King of the mountains Pierre Rolland (Crédit Agricole) and points leader Levi Leipheimer (Astana) at the stage start in Saint-Jean-de Maurienne.
- Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne) was relaxed before the final defence of his leader's jersey.
- Valverde and Leipheimer exchange a few words before the stage rolls out.
- Pierre Roland leaves the comfortable surroundings of the peloton on the Col de Granier.
- Alejandro Valverde's lead was never seriously threatened on the final stage.
- The yellow jersey was on cruise control today.
- Dmitriy Fofonov (Crédit Agricole) was the fastest of the day's three-man escape at the finish in Grenoble.
- It was the Kazakh rider's first victory since the final stage of the 2002 Tour of Catalunya.
- Roland crosses the line to seal his victory in the mountains competition.
- A happy Dmitriy Fofonov gets re-acquainted with that winning feeling.
- Hand shakes and smiles once it's all over.
- The final podium of the Dauphiné Libéré: Levi Leipheimer (Astana), Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne) and Cadel Evans (Silence-Lotto)
- Valverde comfortably sealed overall victory on the final stage to Grenoble.
- Pierre Rolland defended his polka-dot jersey of best climber.
Images by Roberto Bettini/www.bettiniphoto.net
- Dmitriy Fofonov (Crédit Agricole) wins the final stage in Grenoble.
- Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne) took the overall victory and looks ready for an good Tour de France.
- The GC podium (l-r) with Levi Leipheimer, Alejandro Valverde and Cadel Evans.
- The podium is all smiles
- Valverde pulls on his final yellow jersey.
- Maxime Monfort (Cofidis) climbing well.
- Australian Cadel Evans (Silence-Lotto) takes over the ProTour lead following the Dauphiné Libéré.
Images by Jean-Francois Quenet
- Cadel Evans salutes his French fans as he signs on.
- Pierre Rolland (Crédit Agricole) became a star on French TV.
- Pierre Rolland (Crédit Agricole) in the Mountains jersey.
- Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne) takes his most important career victory.
Stage 6 - June 14: Morzine - La Toussuire, 233km
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Images by AFP Photo
- Cadel Evans (Silence-Lotto) keeps an eye on race leader Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne).
- Caisse d'Epargne looked after their leader all the way to the final climb.
- Threatening clouds loomed for much of the stage, but conditions remained dry.
- The peloton climbs the Col de la Croix de Fer.
- Valverde adds another layer on the chilly ascent.
- Snow still lingers near the top of 2067 metre high pass.
- Caisse d'Epargne and Silence-Lotto drive the pace on the descent of the Croix de Fer.
- The big guns of the Dauphiné - Levi Leipheimer (Astana), Cadel Evans (Silence-Lotto) and Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne).
- Evans goes for it on La Toussuire.
- The Aussie distanced Valverde for short while, but was eventually reeled in.
- Evans was out of the saddle for long periods on the final climb.
- Chris Anker Sørensen (Team CSC) rides alone on the final climb to La Toussuire.
- Chris Anker Sørensen (Team CSC) claims Stage 6 of the Dauphiné Libéré.
- The Danish rider tackled the final climb to La Toussuire alone and won by over a minute.
- Leipheimer sprints home ahead of Sylvester Szmyd (Lampre), Valverde and Evans.
- Stage winner Chris Anker Sørensen (Team CSC) is congratulated by team-mate Nicki Sørensen.
- Thumbs up from the stage winner.
- Valverde gets another yellow jersey.
- Alejandro Valverde looks set to wrap up overall victory tomorrow.
- Umm... Alejandro... you're supposed to kiss on the cheek.
Images by Jean-Francois Quenet
- Stage five winner Yuriy Trofimov (L) with Bouygues Telecom team-mate Perrig Quéméneur.
- Alejandro Valverde arrives for the sign-on in Morzine.
- Levi Leiphimer wears the green jersey. The American is second in the points classification behind Valverde.
- Chris Anker Sørensen savours his first big victory in La Toussuire.
- The Dane was not interested in comparisons to his compatriot Michael Rasmussen, the last man to win at La Toussuire during the 2007 Tour de France.
Images by Roberto Bettini/www.bettiniphoto.net
- Sørensen is likely to get addicted to more procedures like this.
- Evans shadowed Valverde most of the day
- Sastre was up front on the Col de Croix Fer and dressed well for the four degrees centigrade. He dropped back on the final climb.
- Yaroslav Popovych (Silence-Lotto) was a valuable helper for Evans today.
- Valverde puts on yellow and hopes it won't be the last time in this tour.
- Evans went on the attack with half a dozen kilometres to go.
- Evans looked strong but the headwind prevented him from getting more than 20 seconds.
- Evans labouring hard in the final kilometres.
- It was picturesque racing in the French Alps.
- The snow was proof that it was still cold up on the cols.
- Leipheimer grits his teeth to get a few more seconds out of his competitors.
- Evans and Leipheimer ahead but the others clawed their way back into the race.
- Mikel Astarloza feels at home in the mountains.
- Michael Rogers is showing that his form is coming along.
Stage 5 - June 13: Ville-La-Grand - Morzine, 125km
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Images by AFP Photo
- Evans leads Valverde home a few seconds ahead of the other favourites.
- Iouri Trofimov (Bouygues Telecom) wins the tough ride to Morzine.
- Trofimov took off from the break after the top of the Col de Joux-Plane was passed.
- The Russian savoured his victory 18 seconds ahead of Cadel Evans.
- Valverde smiles on the podium as he continues to lead the overall.
- Iouri Trofimov (Bouygues Telecom) is all smiles as he celebrated one of his biggest wins today.
- Cadel Evans takes second on the stage ahead of Valverde.
- Trofimov leads the trio of Juan Jose Cobo and Vladimir Efimkin.
- Valverde responded to the attacks and finally got away with Evans.
- Evans grits his teeth and gets ready to leave some folks behind.
- Levi Leipheimer struggled on the climb, losing more than a minute to Valverde.
- Valverde's team leads on the descent before the final climb.
Images by Roberto Bettini/www.bettiniphoto.net
- Cadel Evans stretches his legs on the Col de la Joux-Plane
- Valverde spots Evans' attack and then goes after him.
- George Hincapie (High Road) looking relaxed on a descent.
- Lampre's Sylvester Szmyd rode well to finish fifth on the stage.
- The group of favourites begins the ascent of the Joux-Plane.
- Alejandro Valverde looked solid on the hilly stage to Morzine.
- Valverde enjoys his podium time after keeping yellow for another day.
- Valverde used up all his team-mates to help him keep the yellow jersey.
- Maxime Monfort (Cofidis) stayed with the favourites until the final climb, where he could not hold on.
- The Russian jokes around on the podium.
- Trofimov is having a good year.
- 24-year-old Trofimov took his second win of 2008 after taking a stage and the overall in Etoile de Besseges.
- Trofimov leads the break on the way to Morzine.
Images by Jean-François Quénet
- Crédit Agricole's Simon Gerrans is one of the stars of the publicity caravan at the Dauphiné.
- French fan shows his support for banned rider Alexandre Vinokourov...
- ...and for an Astana entry at this year's Tour de France.
- French climber Rémi Di Gregorio had pre-race advice from his Française des Jeux DS Thierry Bricaud.
- Charly Wegelius (Liquigas) and Levi Leipheimer (Astana) had a good laugh before the start.
- Juan José Cobo (Saunier Duval-Scott) passed all the climbs of the day in first position.
- Yuriy Trofimov (Bouygues Telecom) is congratulated by the mayor of Morzine.
- Russia's Yuriy Trofimov (Bouygues Telecom) celebrates his stage win on the podium.
- Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne) continues to lead the race.
- Cadel Evans (Silence-Lotto) cools down after the stage.
- 'Hey, don't I know you from somewhere': Cadel Evans (Silence-Lotto) chats with Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne).
- 'Next month, you climb here and I'll sit in behind, okay?' Cadel Evans (Silence-Lotto) chats with Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne).
- No, Alejandro, beer is not a banned substance!
- Russia's Iouri Trofimov (Bouygues Telecom) was delighted with his stage win.
Stage 4 - June 12: Vienne - Annemasse, 193km
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Images by AFP Photo
- France's Cyril Dessel (AG2R La Mondiale), 33, wins stage four of the Dauphiné Libéré after soloing down from the la Montée du Mont-Salève.
- Pierre Rolland (Credit Agricole) could not hold onto Dessel's wheel, and was sorely disappointed with second.
- The lead group rolls through the French countryside.
- The peloton rolls through the countryside enjoying stunning views.
- Levi Leipheimer and a teammate descent on stage four.
- David De La Fuente (Saunier Duval) wears the jersey of best climber.
Images by Roberto Bettini/www.bettiniphoto.net
- Robert Gesink pulls up the climb and is closely followed by the yellow jersey and Leipheimer.
- Levi Leipheimer is a vision of colour with green and red, white and blue.
- Cyril Dessel (AG2R La Mondiale) put in a heroic effort to win the stage.
- Dessel scores a win in the fourth stage.
- Dessel leads the break on the final climb.
- Cadel Evans looks a bit unhappy while riding in the peloton behind Valverde.
- Valverde seems to be telling Leipheimer that his team needs to pitch in to control the break since his own team has Pereiro up there.
- Roy Sentjens (Silence - Lotto) was one of 16 men off the front together.
- Oscar Pereiro (Caisse d'Epargne), another break member.
- Jose Angel Gomez Marchante (Saunier Duval-Scott) and Bart Dockx (Silence Lotto)
- Australian champion Matthew Lloyd (Silence-Lotto) is easy to spot.
- Levi Leipheimer sits in the Astana train.
- These guys are definitely working: Robert Gesink (Rabobank) and Levi Leipheimer (Astana)
- Robert Gesink (Rabobank) drives the pace.
- Roy Sentjens (Silence Lotto)
- Christophe Brandt and Cadel Evans of Silence-Lotto
- Cadel Evans (Silence Lotto) in the aero position.
- Cadel Evans (Silence Lotto)
- Cyril Dessel (AG2R La Mondiale) gets the win.
- Cyril Dessel (AG2R La Mondiale) on his way to a stage win.
- Cyril Dessel (AG2R La Mondiale) on the podium.
- Cyril Dessel (AG2R La Mondiale)
- Cyril Dessel (AG2R La Mondiale) sets the pace.
- Frederik Willems (Liquigas) and Roy Sentjens (Silence - Lotto)
- Frederik Willems (Liquigas) was in the stage four break.
- Frederik Willems (Liquigas) was clearly focused on the task at hand.
- William Walker (Rabobank) takes a turn at the front.
- Thomas Voeckler (Bouygues Telecom) attacked the front group.
- Levi Leipheimer (Astana) and Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne) clad in green and yellow.
- Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne) racing along in his drops
- Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne) on a descent.
- Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne) well protected by his team-mates.
- Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne) could get used to wearing yellow.
Images by Jean-Francois Quenet
- Christophe Le Mével was talkative before going in the right breakaway and finishing 7th in Annemasse.
- Sandy Casar (FdJ) shows off his bike.
- Rémi Di Gregorio was unfortunate to puncture at the bottom of the Mont Salève but he climbed really well after a wheel change.
- Leipheimer signs on for stage four.
- Levi Leipheimer wears the green jersey of points leader, holding it for Valverde.
- The Rabobank team confers before the start of stage four.
Images by Philippe Soubiran
- Evans sits in the group of favourites and is never too far from the front.
Stage 3 - June 11: Saint-Paul-en-Jarez (ITT), 31km
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Images by AFP Photo
- The Green Bullet – Spain's Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne), 28, on his way to winning the time trial and taking over the leader's jersey from Thor Hushovd (Crédit Agricole).
- Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne) takes the overall lead after his winning time trial.
Images by Jean-Francois Quenet
- Michael Rogers isn't quite in form after suffering from mononucleosis this spring.
- Milram's Grivko crashed but still took 8th.
- A typical French fan at the Dauphiné
- Cadel Evans took no risks on the slippery descent.
- Thor Hushovd crossed the line with a large deficit, losing the yellow by minutes.
- Valverde chats before the ceremony with directeur sportif Yvon Ledanois
- Valverde seemed quite happy with his surprise win in the time trial.
- The Spaniard took the stage win in the time trial.
- Valverde steps onto the podium to take the yellow jersey after stage three.
- … and took over yellow.
- The Green Bullet stayed green after winning the time trial.
- Oh yeah, and polka dots too!
Images by Roberto Bettini/www.bettiniphoto.net
- Robert Gesink (Rabobank) came in tenth over two minutes behind Valverde.
- George Hincapie (High Road) winner of stage two, put in a solid 16th place time trial.
- Levi Leipheimer lost time on the climb but made up some on the technical descent.
- Valverde was helped by the big climb in the first part of the time trial.
- Not noted as a good time trialist in the past Valverde seems to have figured the discipline out.
- Valverde pulls on the yellow jersey after taking the overall lead from Thor Hushovd.
Images by John Pierce/Photosport International
- Cadel Evans gets ready to warm up for the time trial.
- Hincapie during the time trial
- Hushovd finished the time trial not so much concerned about his overall situation.
- Leipheimer warming up good as he went on to storm to second place for the stage and GC.
- Valverde gets rolling and is heading to the start ramp.
- The new maillot jaune, Alejandro Valverde.
Stage 2 - June 10: Bourg-Saint-Andeol - Vienne, 184km
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Images by AFP Photo
- USA's George Hincapie (High Road), 34, wins Dauphiné Libéré stage two after a last minute move from the front of the peloton.
- George Hincapie (High Road), 34, celebrates after winning Dauphiné Libéré stage two.
- Norway's Thor Hushovd (Crédit Agricole), 30, kept the leader's yellow top after finishing fifth in stage two.
Images by Jean-François Quénet
- Maxime Monfort (Cofidis)
- Norway's Thor Hushovd (Crédit Agricole) talks to the Norwegian press.
Images by Roberto Bettini/www.bettiniphoto.net
- George Hincapie (High Road) attacked in the final kilometre to take the second stage.
- Hincapie on the podium after his stage win.
- George Hincapie (High Road) takes his second victory of the season.
- Crédit Agricole controlled the peloton for much of the 184km stage.
- Thor Hushovd, followed by Cadel Evans and Australian champion Matt Lloyd (both Silence - Lotto).
- The peloton roles through the French countryside.
Images by John Pierce/Photosport International
- Bruyneel makes a rare race appearance
- George Hincapie on the podium after winning stage 2.
- Hushovd on the podium with another yellow jersey.
Stage 1 - June 9: Avignon - Privas, 194km
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Images by AFP Photo
- Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne), 28, claims victory in stage one of the Dauphiné Libéré.
- Spain's Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne) wins stage one over Thor Hushovd (Crédit Agricole), who has become the new overall leader.
- Norwegian Thor Hushovd (Crédit Agricole) takes over the overall leadership after the finish of stage one.
- Thor Hushovd (Crédit Agricole), 30, took the leader's yellow top from USA's Levi Leipheimer (Astana).
- Credit Agricole controlled the race to set Hushovd up for the stage win and yellow jersey.
- The breakaway with Joly, Kux and Labbe was caught with 12km to go.
Images by Jean-Francois Quenet
- Sebastien Joly (Francaise des Jeux) was part of the day long breakaway.
- Hushovd gets on the podium after taking over the yellow jersey.
- Hushovd takes yellow at the Dauphine for the first time in his career.
Images by Roberto Bettini/www.bettiniphoto.net
- Spain's Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne) takes the win.
- Hola France! Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne), 28, celebrates after winning stage one.
- Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne) greeted by the lovely podium girl.
- Astana Team Manager Johan Bruyneel before the start of stage one.
- Team Crédit Agricole working for its leader Thor Hushovd.
- Australian Cadel Evans (Silence-Lotto) rides in the pack.
Prologue - June 8: Le Pontet - Avignon, 5.60km
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Images by AFP Photo
- Levi Leipheimer powers along the prologue course, setting the fastest time.
- Levi Leipheimer (Astana) takes the first yellow jersey of the 60th Dauphine Libere.
- Leipheimer reacts to his win - is that a happy face?
- Thor Hushovd (Credit Agricole) took second behind Leipheimer.
- Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne) was third.
- Cadel Evans powered to sixth in the prologue, despite "not being at a 100%."
Images by Jean-Francois Quenet
- William Walker (Rabobank) is back in action after a few problems this year.
- France's time trial hope Jérôme Coppel feels more comfortable on longer rides.
- Vladimir Efimkin created a surprise for Ag2r with a fifth place.
Images by Roberto Bettini/www.bettiniphoto.net
