Thomas De Gendt celebrates as he crosses the finishing line ©Getty Images

Thomas De Gendt was the sole survivor of a seven strong breakaway to win the opening stage of the Critérium du Dauphiné in Saint Etienne today.

It was the Belgian cyclist's first win of the season after a superb performance over the hilly 170 kilometres course in France.

The breakaway opened up a gap of 3min 40sec with two laps to go of the finishing circuit before the peloton began to seriously give chase.

Lotto Soudal's De Gendt then broke clear from the lead group alongside Frenchman and AG2R rider Axel Domont.

The Belgian pushed hard as they crested the last of eight classified ascents, before accelerating further clear on the downhill.

Thomas De Gendt received the yellow leader's jersey as a result of his stage one victory ©Getty Images
Thomas De Gendt received the yellow leader's jersey as a result of his stage one victory ©Getty Images

He then cruised to the line to finish 44 seconds clear in 4 hours 17min 4sec.

Domont crossed second while Italy's Team UAE Emirates rider Diego Ulissi finish third, a further 13 seconds back.

All of the overall favourites for the stage race title finished in the peloton 1:09 behind the leader.

This included Britain and Team Sky's two-time defending champion Chris Froome as well as Spaniards Alberto Contador of Trek-Segafredo and Alejandro Valverde of Movistar, and Australia's BMC star Richie Porte.

Stage two tomorrow will mark another hilly test over 171km from Saint-Chamond to Arlanc.

The race, part of the International Cycling Union (UCI) WorldTour and a traditional warm-up for the Tour de France, is due to conclude on June 11.