Paris: Australian Richie Porte has strengthened his overall lead in the Criterium du Dauphine, gaining time over his closest rivals in the queen stage won by Peter Kennaugh.

BMC rider Porte attacked in the finale featuring a small part of the iconic Alpe d'Huez ascent to gain eight seconds on two-time Tour de France winner Alberto Contador (Trek–Segafredo) and 24 on defending Tour champion Chris Froome.

Overall, Porte leads Team Sky's Froome by 1:02 ahead of Sunday's last stage, a punishing mountainous trek ending on the Plateau de Solaison.

Dane Jakob Fuglsang (Astana), who finished Saturday's 115km stage with Porte, is third, 1:15 off the pace.

Froome's teammate Kennaugh was part of the day's breakaway and he dropped compatriot Ben Swift (United Arab Emirates) on the final climb to claim his second stage win in the Dauphine.

"To win at Alpe d'Huez is better than being an Olympic champion," said Kennaugh.

France's Romain Bardet (AG2R La Mondiale), last year's Tour runner-up, jumped away from the favourites' group on the penultimate climb to the Col de Sarenne and slashed 42 seconds off Porte's lead.

He is now sixth overall, 2:07 behind Porte and eight seconds ahead of Contador.

Reuters