Team Sky's Thomas impresses in Daulphine prologue

GERAINT Thomas underlined his form with a solid fourth place finish in the Criterium du Dauphine.

The Team Sky rider finished ten seconds behind Spain's Alberto Contador, who is using the race for fine-tuning ahead of the defence of his Tour de France title.

American Tejay Van Garderen came second while Slovenia's Janez Brajkovic completed the podium.

"It was a good ride from Geraint and he was really up for it. Fourth in this company is excellent and he also finished strongly too," said Team Sky's Sports Director Sean Yates.

"There was a climb in the first half which meant Contador was obviously in his element but I think Geraint was five seconds faster over the second section of the course."

Elsewhere, Gee Atherton delighted home crowds with a men's downhill victory at the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup in Fort William.

Atherton threw caution to the wind down on a super-fast dry and dusty track, flashing through the speed trap at just over 62kmph and clocking 4:36.18.

"It's a dream come true and the most excited I've ever been about winning a race," he said.