Peter Kennaugh wins 1st stage of Criterium du Dauphine race

ALBERTVILLE, France (AP) British rider Peter Kennaugh won the first stage of the Criterium du Dauphine race after launching a late attack on Sunday.

Kennaugh was in a small group of riders about two kilometers from the end when he made his move.

The Team Sky rider timed it just right, and crossed the line two seconds ahead of Italian rider Sacha Modolo and Norway's Edvald Boasson Hagen.

Kennaugh completed the 131.5-kilometer (81.5-mile) flat trek from Ugine to Albertville in 3 hours, 6 minutes, 51 seconds.

The week-long stage race is a warm up for the Tour de France, which starts next month, and defending Tour champion Vincenzo Nibali is among the leading contenders.

The Italian rider will test his climbing legs in Monday's second stage, which features a sharp category 1 climb.