Wiggins extends Dauphiné Libéré lead on penultimate stage
Wiggo finishes sixth, now has 1:26 over Cadel Evans
On a professional cycling news-day that might have spurred groans from fans and riders when Alberto Contador announced that he would be racing the Tour de France, there came more uplifting news. Today Bradley Wiggins finished sixth behind Katusha’s Joaquin Rodriguez on the queen stage of the Dauphiné Libéré to extend his lead over second place Cadel Evans with one stage to go.
The sixth stage that started in Les Gets took in six rated climbs, including the fearsome hors categorie Le Collet D’Allevard at the finish. Wiggins, who grabbed a commanding GC lead in stage three’s 42.5 time trial, raced within himself and didn’t try to stay with Rodriguez, Robert Gesink of Rabobank and Omega’s Jurgen Van den Broeck, the first three finishers on the day. In tomorrow’s ultimate stage the Brit will face two more big climbs, but leads second place Cadel Evans by 1:26.
Sky’s Wiggins stunned and delighted the cycling world by placing fourth in the 2009 Tour de France and looks to be in fine form for July.
