Chris Froome finds form ahead of Tour de France

CHRIS Froome has showed improved form in the Dauphine Libere race, less than a month out from the Tour de France.

Chris Froome

CHRIS Froome has showed improved form in the Dauphine Libere race, less than a month out from the Tour de France.

The Briton responded to an attack from Alberto Contador to catch the two-time Tour champion and then American rider Matthew Busche for his first career stage win in the Dauphine.

Froome clocked 3 hours, 28 minutes, 39 seconds across the 139-kilometre trek from Gresy-sur-Aix to Valmorel, finishing four seconds ahead of Contador and Busche.

"I think winning a stage was really for my teammates who did a fantastic job to position me in the climb," Froome said, praising his Sky Procycling team. "Peter Kennaugh and Richie Porte controlled all the attacks. I didn't think I'd catch the RadioShack rider up the road. I had to go for the stage win to say thank you, even though I knew the yellow jersey was secured."

Froome is 52 seconds ahead overall from Porte and 54 clear of overnight leader Rohan Dennis. Froome, who was runner-up to Bradley Wiggins in last year's Tour, finished third in Wednesday's time trial and was five seconds behind Dennis entering the stage.

Alejandro Valverde of Spain tried to launch an attack about six kilometres out, but was soon caught by Busche and several other riders. Busche opened up a lead of 25 seconds but that wasn't enough to keep Contador at bay.

Froome couldn't resist the temptation to attack, passing Contador with 500 metres to go and then Busche 200 metres from the line.

"When Contador attacked, I could have let him go, knowing that he's no longer a threat on GC," Froome said of the general classification. "I felt it was necessary to go for the stage win also. It's super. I couldn't be in a better condition. It's really good to beat the other GC contenders: (Joaquin) Rodriguez, Contador, Valverde. But I'm quite sure that Alberto is going to be ready for the Tour de France."

The Tour runs from June 29 to July 21.