Critérium du Dauphiné Guide

The Critérium du Dauphiné is back for its 61st edition between 6-13 June and, like all the races this month, it offers riders one of their final chances to impress before the Tour de France line-ups are finalised.

Traditionally the race has been one of the most mountainous on the UCI's ProTour and this year is no different with the Chamrousse and legendary Alpe d'Huez just two big-name ascents which have been included this time around.

Sylvain Calzati, Edvald Boasson Hagen, Peter Kennaugh, Geraint Thomas and Davide Viganò all took part at Bayern Rundfahrt at the end of last month and are back in action again, and they will be joined in the Team Sky ranks by John-Lee Augustyn, Russell Downing and Nicolas Portal.

Here we take a look at the route they will take during their eight days in south eastern France:

Sunday 6 June: Prologue - Évian-les-Bains to Évian-les-Bains - 6.8km

The action gets under way on the idyllic shoreline of Lake Geneva and the clockwise circuit rises 109m during the first three kilometres up to the plush parkland surrounding the Évian Royal Palace. Once they have passed through the time check there it's onwards to the Évian Golf Course and back down onto the lakefront for what should be a fast finish along the Avenue Anna De Noailles.

TV Coverage: Live coverage on British Eurosport 2 between 1700-1800*.

Monday 7 June: Stage One - Évian-les-Bains to Saint-Laurent-du-Pont - 191km

The action resumes from where it left off but this time heads south, skirting Geneva before the first classified climb of the tour on the Côte de Mornex (2.3km at 5.3% - Category 4). Sprint points are also up for grabs at Cruseillles (64km) and the Côtes de Sallenôves (1.4km at 5.3% - Category 4) and Chilly (1.7km at 7.7% - Category 3) must then be scaled in quick succession before the second sprint at Les Echelles (179km). The day doesn't end there though as the Côte de Miribel-les-Echelles (3.0km at 6.6% - Category 3) must also be crested prior to the steep descent into Saint-Laurent-du-Pont. Attacks there could well prove pivotal in the early battle for the leader's yellow jersey.

TV Coverage: Live coverage on British Eurosport 2 between 1400-1530*.

Tuesday 8 June: Stage Two - Annonay to Bourg-Saint-Andéol - 177km

After traversing over to Annonay for the start of stage two, the route continues in a southerly direction all the way to Bourg-Saint-Andéol. There is plenty to keep the riders occupied along the way with the first of four classified climbs coming after just 11km on the Côte de Saint-Jeure-d'Ay (2.1km at 5.8% - Category 4). The Col des Nonières (4.7km at 4 % - Category 3) is next up, 43km down the road, and a sprint also follows that at Le Cheylard (63.5km). It is the next section though that is likely to decide the stage with the lengthy Cols du Moulin-à-Vent (10.5km at 4% - Category 2) and Benas (10.6km at 4.8 % - Category 2) both peaking in the space of 21km, with a further sprint interspersed between them at Privas (109km). The fact that it is then downhill all the way into the destination town means any attacks here could well stay away.

TV Coverage: Live coverage on British Eurosport 2 between 1400-1530*.

Wednesday 9 June: Stage Three (TT) - Monteux to Sorgues - 49km

This long individual time trial should definitely shake up the general classification as it winds its way around from Monteux to Sorgues. After a slightly ascending start, the road really ramps up on the Côte de La Roque-sur-Pernes (1.9km at 6.8%) but once the riders have dropped down the other side it's pan-flat for the final 25km all the way into destination town.

TV Coverage: Live coverage on British Eurosport 2 between 1400-1530*.

Thursday 10 June: Stage Four - Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux to Risoul - 211.5km

The longest stage of the tour sees the peloton cut across to the east of the region, climbing steadily as they do so all the way to Guillestre (197km). The sprints at Rosans (75km) and Chroges (156km) will break the monotony nicely for some, but most of the other riders will no doubt opt to preserve their energy instead for the long climb which follows up to the mountaintop finish in Risoul. Over 12.8km this category-1 ascent maintains an average gradient of 7 % and tops out at a lofty 1,870m.

TV Coverage: Live coverage on British Eurosport 2 between 1400-1530*.

Friday 11 June: Stage Five - Serre Chevalier to Grenoble - 143.5km

Despite the challenging end to Thursday's stage, the weary riders must start again by hauling themselves over the highest peak of the tour - the Col du Lautaret (2058m - category 2) - inside the first 15.5km. Their only saving grace is the fact that the next 76.5km will then be spent hurtling down to Vaulnaveys-le-Bas, with sprint points on offer at Le Bourg-D'Oisans (55km) and Vaulnaveys-le-Bas itself. If the riders thought the climbs so far had been tough, then they are really going to struggle on the Chamrousse. This hors categorie monster maintains an average gradient of 7.5% on its 17.5km face and peaks at 1750m. Once they make it over the top, a long technical descent is to follow before a flat finish in Grenoble.

TV Coverage: Live coverage on British Eurosport 2 between 1400-1530*.

Saturday 12 June: Stage Six - Crolles to L'Alpe d'Huez - 151.5km

After two tough days in the saddle there is no let-up in the torment here - if anything the penultimate stage is the most gruelling of the lot. The Côte des Fontaines (2.5km at 6.2% - Category 3) and Col du Grand Cucheron (18.5km at 4.4% - Category 2) will serve to get the blood pumping early on, and any sprinters still in touch after those will be looking to contest the points on offer at Saint-Etienne-de-Cuines (79km). From then on though it is all about the climbers as the Col du Glandon (19.5km at 7.2% - Category H) is looming large immediately after. Expect to see the peloton splinter as the stragglers struggle to stay in touch, and after descending into Allemond, the route momentarily flattens out before one final killer climb up the Alpe d'Huez (13.8km at 7.9% - Category H).

Although a regular fixture in the Tour de France, this 1850m brute has never been included in the Dauphiné before, so whoever makes it to the top of its summit in first position will earn themselves not only the stage win, but also a place in the history books.

TV Coverage: Live coverage on British Eurosport between 1715-1815*.

Sunday 13 June: Stage Seven - Allevard les Bains to Sallanches - 150km

After all the exertions of the previous three days, the event organisers have mercifully eased off a bit for the race's culmination. Compared to what has come before, the Côte des Rafforts (11.2km at 5.2% - Category 2) looks tame by comparison, but could still catch a few exhausted riders out as they battle over its 1032m peak. After an intermediate sprint at Praz-sur-Arly (74.5km) the route drops down into the destination town of Sallanches where five, 11km loops of the town must be completed before the race is done and dusted for good. These are no procession laps though, as the remaining sprint points are on offer at the end of the first circuit, and the punchy Côte de Domancy (2.4 km at 9.2% - Category 3) must be scaled on each occasion before crossing the finish line back in the town centre.

TV Coverage: Live coverage on British Eurosport between 1430-1800*.

*All times subject to change