Frenchman Christophe Laporte pipped Belgian Rune Herregodts on the line in central France to win the first stage of the 2023 Criterium du Dauphine on Sunday.

Intermarche-Circus-Wanty's Herregodts had been part of an early breakaway but finished in third place. Italian Matteo Trentin was second.

With less than a month to go until the Tour de France, last year's champion Jonas Vingegaard crossed the line just behind Jumbo-Visma teammate Laporte.

One of France's potential contenders for the Tour, Julian Alaphilippe, also finished with the main group in a rain-sodden day to the south of Clermont.

Former Tour champion Egan Bernal came through unscathed, too, as he continues his comeback from serious injuries suffered in a training crash in January 2022.

This year's Tour de France begins in San Sebastian, Spain, on July 1.

"I just want to finish this race, and I would like to know where I'm am," Ineos Grenadiers' Bernal told reporters before the day's stage. "I've been racing in different races, but not like the Dauphine. The plan afterwards depends on how this race goes. I'm not sure how I am. When you have so many accidents and bad luck, you need to be strong mentally."

Laporte takes the overall leader's yellow jersey, thanks to a 10-second win bonus before Monday's second stage, a 167.5km hilly ride eastwards from Brassac-les-Mines to La Chaise-Dieu.