Styby returned to competition today seven weeks after the Amstel Gold Race. On the program: the first stage – a time trial – of the Critérium du Dauphiné. “And it feels really strange after a long break. I went so deep that I still taste blood.”
The opening time trial was just over 10 kilometers and was held in the streets of Lyon. “A lot of teams had let their specialists today start early. There was less wind before noon, you see. But with Contador, Froome and Nibali at the start that actually played no role at all.”
Froome started last and proved himself by far the strongest. Styby was 70th at 41 seconds of the British winner. “I had a good feeling. You should know that I have ridden no more time trial since August and I now miss competition rhythm. I look forward to the next stages.”