Criterium du Dauphine race guide
Monday 8 June 2015 14:57, UK
We take a closer look at the route for one of the biggest and most prestigious stage races on the calendar.
Preview of the 67th edition
One of the biggest and most prestigious stops on the cycling calendar, the Criterium du Dauphine should see a battle between some of the best stage racers in the world.
Team Sky are three-time winners of the event, with a run of consecutive victories between 2011 and 2014 which included two wins for Sir Bradley Wiggins and one for Chris Froome.
The Dauphine (June 7-14) is well known as a Tour de France build-up race and that tag is more significant than ever in 2015. Stage five to Pra-Loup is an exact replica of stage 17 at this year's Tour, and the addition of a team time trial will give teams the ability to fine-tune their rotations.
Team Sky will line-up with a strong eight-man squad as Chris Froome looks to recapture his Dauphine crown after a crash blunted his challenge last year. Supporting the Brit, Wout Poels, Nicolas Roche, Luke Rowe and Ian Stannard all recently completed a training camp in Tenerife alongside Pete Kennaugh, who starred at the Tour of California with Ian Boswell and Philip Deignan.
Stages
Sunday 7 June - Stage one: Ugine - Albertville, 131.5km
The opening stage kicks off with a circuit around Albertville and a day which could be less straightforward than meets the eye. Six times over the third-category Cote du Villard (1.2km at 8.7%) will wear down the bunch, and a high pace could make the stage difficult to control and life tough for the sprinters.
TV coverage: Highlights on Eurosport 2 between 1545-1715.
Monday 8 June - Stage two: Le Bourget-du-Lac - Villars-les-Dombes, 173km
The stage begins with an immediate uphill start on the second-category Col du Chat. All attention then turns to the first-category Col de Cuvery, the day's main test. The peloton should split on the climb but with 100km still to race following the summit there should be plenty of time for the race to come back together.
TV coverage: Live on Eurosport between 1230-1400 with highlights at 1645 and 2300.
Tuesday 9 June - Stage three: Roanne - Montagny (team time trial), 24.5km
In a departure for the Dauphine, stage three features a team time trial which is representative of what the teams will face in July at the Tour de France. The route undulates before climbing gradually to the finish. A good time could lay the foundations for a GC challenge heading into the mountains.
TV coverage: Live on Eurosport between 1230-1400 with highlights at 1645 and 2300.
Wednesday 10 June - Stage four: Anneyron - Porte de DromeArdeche - Sisteron, 228km
A lengthy test featuring three categorised climbs, on paper day four shouldn't shake up the general classification too much. After the one-two punch of the Col de Lescou and the Col de Pre-Guittard, the road rises again before a fast run into the finish. A quick cat-four ramp will test the sprinters before a finish in Sisteron.
TV coverage: Live on Eurosport between 1500-1630 with highlights at 2000 (BE2) and 2330.
Thursday 11 June - Stage five: Digne-les-Bains - Pra-Loup, 161km
One of the race's most intriguing tests, stage five is an exact replica of what will be stage 17 at the Tour de France. As well as a rare opportunity to reccy the parcours during a live race, the stage will also be significant in the fight for the Dauphine. A tough finale sees the first-category Col d'Allos crested 22km from home, with a rapid descent followed immediately by a 6.2km climb to the finish.
TV coverage: Live on Eurosport between 1230-1400 with highlights at 1800 (BE2).
Friday 12 June - Stage six: Saint-Bonnet-en-Champsaur - Villard-de-Lans/Vercors, 183km
Another tough day in the mountains, six more classified climbs greet the riders but there are many more which climbs which aren't. The Col du Rousset should split the bunch before a reduced peloton go on to contest the finale. The final climb to the line is short at 2.2 kilometres, averaging 6.2%, but could still see a few seconds gained or lost.
TV coverage: Live on Eurosport between 1230-1400 with highlights at 2030.
Saturday 13 June - Stage seven: Montmelian - Saint-Gervais Mont Blanc, 155km
The undisputed queen stage of this year's event. Five of the six categorised peaks are rated as first-category and this huge day out will likely produce the winner of the race. The finale sees a gruelling double test as the Cote des Amerands leads the riders onto the epic ascent of Mont Blanc.
TV coverage: Highlights on British Eurosport 2 between 1700-1800.
Sunday 14 June - Stage eight: Saint-Gervais Mont Blanc - Modane Valfrejus, 156.5km
The finale sees the race head back to its starting point the previous Sunday ahead of another mountain stage featuring a summit finish. The final climb to Modane Valfrejus measures 8.4km at 5.7% and will no doubt produce some late attacks from those trying to bag a stage win or improve their place on the GC.
TV coverage: Live on Eurosport between 1445-1600 with highlights at 2115 (BE2).
