Richie Porte (Trek-Segafredo) ended up on the wrong side of a split on stage 2 of the Critérium du Dauphiné on Monday, giving up 31 important seconds to overall contenders like Chris Froome (Team Ineos). Despite the eight categorised climbs on the day`s menu, nobody was expecting a shake-up of the overall contenders so early in the race. Porte was in good company, however, with Romain Bardet (AG2R La Mondiale), Dan Martin (UAE Team Emirates) and Tejay van Garderen (EF Education First) - all former podium finishers in the Dauphine - working to limit the losses in a frantic finale.ADVERTISEMENT On Sunday, Porte admitted to Cyclingnews that the opening stage of the race was a shock to the system and although a difficult stage, he was unable to figure where the rest of the GC contenders` form was. On stage 2 of the race from Mauriac to Craponne-sur-Arzon, however, the form of the GC riders at the race was much less ambiguous. As the race came back together in the final 35 kilometres after attacks throughout the day caused speeds of nearly 43kph, Thibaut Pinot (Groupama-FDJ) and Michael Woods (EF Education First) played their cards on the eighth and final categorised climb of the day with another attack, and in turn, split the already reduced GC group. `I think when the stronger guys went there on that last climb, it was hectic and hard,` Porte told Cyclingnews from his team car after the stage. `You know, a hard start, Team Ineos took control all day and I think it was a real GC shakeup but I don`t think it`s over just yet.`
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