Team Katusha's Spanish racer Dani Moreno won the 160-kilometer second stage of the Criterium du Dauphine in Saint-Felicien, France on Tuesday.
Moreno completed the uphill stage in just over four hours, outsprinting Frenchman Julien Simon of Saur Sojasun and Tony Gallopin of Radioshack-Nissan, who finished second and third, respectively.
"I’m very happy with this victory," Moreno was quoted as telling the team website. "Some said it was a surprising win for me, but I think I was one of the favorites instead: I’m in a good shape after Giro d’Italia, during this season I’ve already taken two victories and the route was very suitable to my characteristics."
"The stage was very nervous, and the group kept a really fast pace, so it wasn’t easy at all".
Moreno, 30, won Grand Prix Miguel Indurain in January and the fourth stage of 2012 Vuelta a Andalucía in February.
The 167-kilometer third stage takes place in La Clayette on Wednesday. Moreno is 37th in the overall rankings, which are led by Britain's Bradley Wiggins of Team Sky.
