Lars Boom starts Criterium de Dauphine with a bang

DUTCHMAN Lars Boom grabbed the overall lead of the Criterium du Dauphine after dominating his rivals in the prologue held over 5.4km.

Lars Boom

DUTCHMAN Lars Boom grabbed the overall lead of the Criterium du Dauphine after dominating his rivals in the prologue held over 5.4km.

Former cyclo-cross champion Boom (Rabobank) completed the race against the clock in a time of 6min 18sec to keep Astana veteran Alexandre Vinokourov if Kazakhstan in second place by two seconds.

Britain's Bradley Wiggins, one of several top names hoping to use the eight-day race as a crucial warm-up for the Tour de France next month, was third at five seconds adrift.

Australian Cadel Evans, a three-time runner-up in the Dauphine, finished seventh at nine seconds back.

Briefs spells of rain made the technical course something of a lottery for most of the riders, although by the time the big favourites had warmed up and were ready to go most of the roads had dried.

Boom, who is just recovering from a bout of tendinitis which flared up at the Tour of California, put his victory down to a solid block of training.

"Apart from the hill at the start of the race, it went really well for me," said Boom, 25, one of the few professional riders who stands above 1.90 metres.

"I felt comfortable in the corners, where my cyclo-cross experience probably helped, but I think the biggest difference was having trained solidly last week.

"Now I'd like to keep the jersey for another day although I know tomorrow's stage finishes on an uphill. The main aim for the team is to go for more stage wins, whether it's me or someone else."

Belgian Jurgen van den Broeck was the next best among the other hopefuls for a podium place at next month's Tour, the Omega-Pharma all-rounder finishing in 15th at 14sec adrift.

Dutchman Robert Gesink, also of Rabobank, was a further two seconds further back while German Tony Martin, of HTC-Highroad finished 17 behind Boom.

Italian Ivan Basso, who has made victory in the Tour de France his priority this year, could only finish 102nd at 34secs behind Boom.

Time trial specialist Boom thus claims his second victory of the season after winning the Tour of Qatar prologue in February.

The first stage of the Criterium is held today when a 144km ride will take the peloton from Albertville to Saint-Pierre-de-Chartreuse.