VILLARD-DE-LANS, France (AP) β Vincenzo Nibali signaled his return to form by claiming the overall lead at the Criterium du Dauphine following a rain-soaked mountain stage on Friday.
Nibali, who won the Tour de France last year, launched a late attack from a group of breakaway riders but was beaten by former world champion Rui Costa for the stage win at the ski resort of Villard-de-Lans in the French Alps.
With less than a month to go before the Tour de France, Nibali β who has not won a race this season β seems to be peaking at the right time. The Italian is now leading Rui Costa by 29 seconds in the provisional standings, with Alejandro Valverde in third place, one second back.
Saturday’s stage is another trek in the mountains featuring a hilltop finish. The race ends Sunday.
