Nacer Bouhani of Cofidis took the win on stage one of the Critérium du Dauphiné.
Stsge One was a 186km stage from Cluses to Saint-Vulbas and saw Frederik Backaert (Wanty-Groupe Gobert) and Orica-GreenEdge's Mitch Docker allowed to get clear by race leader Alberto Contador.
They were 4.20 ahead after twenty kilometres, which meant that Backaert was the virtual leader on the road
Into the third hour and the pair were 2.30 ahead with 39kms left on a warm day with Backaert having taken the first climb of the day and putting himself into the KOM jersey ahead of Chris Froome who was wearing it on this stage.
With 25kms to go, Docker ropped back leaving Backaert away on his own with a 1.19 lead.
The catch was always going to come and it did with 14kms left to set up the sprint which Nacer Bouhanni took the win in 4.27.53 ahead of Jens Debusschere and Sam Bennett and said: "I am very happy with that. My celebration on this finish was for Muhammed Ali."
Alberto Contador continues to lead the race.