With his first victory in almost five years, Jakob Fuglsang underlined his Tour de France credentials on stage 6 of the Criérium du Dauphiné, but the presence of Fabio Aru in the front group of four suggested leadership will be a complicated concept for Astana this July.
With Vincenzo Nibali leaving to pastures new and Aru targeting the Giro d’Italia, Fuglsang was promised captaincy for the Tour, though a knee injury to Aru forced the Italian to skip the 100th Giro and muddied the waters.
The Dauphiné, therefore, has taken on added significance, with Fuglsang having that bit extra to prove, and Aru, six years younger and a proven Grand Tour winner, finding out whether he is a realistic contender for the Tour.
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Both passed the first mountain test of the race with flying colours, Aru skipping away from Richie Porte and Chris Froome over the top of the Mont du Chat, and Fuglsang snatching the sprint once the mini group had come together on the descent.
“For sure it [the Dauphiné] decides something for the Tour,” said Fuglsang in his winner’s press conference La Motte Servolex, though he played down any notion that the leadership question has become a headache.
“I think no matter the outcome of this Dauphiné, we’ll go to the Tour with two captains. Many things can happen in the Tour in the first week and it’s never bad to have two guys up there in the front. We will have to try and play that card. The important thing is to come good out of this Dauphiné and show we’re on the right track, and not have to stress before the tour, but prepare with a calm mind.”
A win for Scarponi
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