VALMOREL, France (AP) — Chris Froome attacked on the final climb to win the mountainous fifth stage of the Dauphine Libere race Thursday and take the overall lead, showing improved form with the Tour de France starting in less than a month.
The British rider responded to an attack from Alberto Contador to catch the two-time Tour champion for his first career stage win in the Dauphine.
Froome clocked 3 hours, 28 minutes, 39 seconds across the 86-mile trek from Gresy-sur-Aix to Valmorel, finishing four seconds ahead of Contador and American rider Matthew Busche.
Froome is 52 seconds ahead overall from Sky Procycling teammate Richie Porte and 54 ahead of overnight leader Rohan Dennis. Froome was runner-up to Bradley Wiggins at last year’s Tour de France.
