Michal Kwiatkowski takes Criterium du Dauphine lead with prologue win

Michal Kwiatkowski took the overall leader's yellow jersey at the Criterium du Dauphine, the main warm-up race for the Tour de France, when the Polish Team Sky rider won the prologue on Sunday.

Kwiatkowski, who will be one of four-times champion Chris Froome's lieutenants on the Tour next month, clocked seven minutes 25 seconds in Valence.

Eurosport Player One Year Pass for just £29.99

He beat Dutchman Jos van Emden and Italian Gianni Moscon, who were second and third, by one and three seconds respectively.

Tour de France

Stage 13 highlights: Kwiatkowski emerges victorious as Pogacar launches late attack

00:03:15

|

14/07/2023 at 18:18

Key Moments, Day 1: Kwiatkowski strikes, Thomas falls

Briton Geraint Thomas, who seemed en route for the stage win, crashed and ended up 21 seconds off the pace.

Commentator's curse: Geraint Thomas in nasty fall in Criterium du Dauphine

Overall contender Romain Bardet of France lost 23 seconds, with 2014 Tour champion Vincenzo Nibali of Italy ending up 24 seconds behind Kwiatkowski.

Froome, who won the Giro d'Italia last month, is not taking part in the race.

Tour de France

Kwiatkowski wins atop Grand Colombier as Pogacar trims gap to Vingegaard

14/07/2023 at 17:23

Cycling

Blazin’ Saddles: The best riders and teams of the spring Classics – and biggest disappointments

25/04/2022 at 15:55

Paris - Roubaix

‘We’ve never seen anything like that’ – Wiggins lauds ‘perfect’ Ineos

17/04/2022 at 18:27