The 60th Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré ended on Sunday and so far presented us with the best preview of what is to come in July at the Tour de France (Tour de Suisse is going on as I type). Well, as accurate as it can be if Astana would have been invited to the Tour. If you were able to follow this race, you’ll know it was very exciting. Spain’s Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne) was very impressive as he took the top step over Australian Cadel Evans (Silence-Lotto) and American Levi Leipheimer (Astana). Can you say potential Tour podium? Too bad ASO had something else in mind.

Follow up:

Leipheimer was a big surprise since he didn’t show good form coming out of the Giro. But by winning the opening prologue, he definitely showed us he was ready. Valverde put his stamp on the event early by winning the first stage, outgunning sprint ace Thor Hushvold (Credit Agricole) to the line in an up hill finish. While American George Hincapie (High Road) finally won his second race of the season, it was Valverde again that impressed during the 3rd stage time trial. Finally showing the time trialing skills needed to win the Tour, Valverde stunned 2nd place Leipheimer and 3rd place Evans by 19 and 20 seconds!

A very exciting few stages in the mountains allowed us to see just how composed Valverde was as he tried to defend his lead all the way to the end. Fireworks were lit on stage 5 over the Col de Joux-Plane as both Valverde and then Evans attacked after realizing Levi was not having a good day. Levi ended up losing a bit over a minute on that stage. The next day, stage 6, provided the most telling view of how Valverde might deal with pressure in July. Evans put in a massive attack on the final climb that no one was able to respond too. (I think Evans has only attacked twice in his career, both coming in this race. This is a good sign.) A short while later, Leipheimer set off alone to catch Evans. He quickly caught the Australian while Valverde looked to Robert Gesink (Rabobank) for help. As both Evans and Leipheimer traded barbs up front, Valverde kept his calm and eventually road back up to them. Valverde’s actions today told me that he is ready to win the Tour.

The final stage on Sunday included a good dose of mountains but the GC teams rode tempo all the way and it was status quo as Valverde took the biggest win of his career. Is this a sign of things to come? It is too bad that this same battle won’t be replayed at the Tour but Valverde just moved up a few steps in my book as the possible 2008 Tour winner.

Final Top 5 Overall Standings
1 Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne
2 Cadel Evans (Aus) Silence-Lotto
3 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Astana
4 Robert Gesink (Ned) Rabobank
5 Haimar Zubeldia (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi

Read the complete reports at cyclingnews.com.