SAINT-VULBAS, France — Frenchman Nacer Bouhanni claimed the first stage of the Criterium du Dauphine Libere after edging Belgium’s Jens Debusschere in a sprint finish on Monday.
Two-time Tour de France champion Alberto Contador kept the leader’s jersey he seized in Sunday’s time-trial prologue.
It was Bouhanni’s fourth World Tour stage win this season following successes at Paris-Nice and the Volta Catalunya.
Bouhanni, also an amateur boxer, dedicated his win to Muhammad Ali.
Sam Bennett of Ireland finished third in the sprint.
Contador has a six-second lead over his former teammate Richie Porte of Australia overall. Reigning Tour de France champion Chris Froome is in third place, 13 seconds back.
The Dauphine is a traditional warmup for the Tour, which starts on July 2 at Mont-Saint-Michel.
Victoria’s Ryder Hesjedal was 16th in the overall classification after finishing 109th in Monday’s stage.
Christian Meier of Sussex, N.B., was the top Canadian in Stage 1, finishing 26th. He moved to 79th overall.
Antoine Duchesne of Saguenay, Que., was 148th on Monday and sat 139th overall.