The prestigious stage race takes place between 5-12 June.
For the first time in the history of the event that was won by the likes of Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Luis Ocaña or Bernard Hinault, things will get underway from the Ardèche department. Despite some climbs along the way, the fast men should have their chance to shine in the first days of the week, except for stage 3, before the 31.9km individual time trial from Montbrison to La Bâtie d’Urfé, which promises a major reshuffling of the general classification.
All these will serve only as an appetizer for what will be a mouth-watering second part of the race, that will throw into the GC contenders’ way the mighty climbs of Galibier and Croix de Fer and a return to Plateau de Salaison (11.3km, 9.2%), the demanding ascent that five years ago was decisive in the final outcome.
The most successful squad of the year so far, Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl will come to the start of the 73rd edition with a team featuring Volta a Catalunya stage winner Andrea Bagioli, Mattia Cattaneo, French Champion Rémi Cavagna, Czech ITT Champion Josef Cerny, Dries Devenyns, Mikkel Honoré and Jannik Steimle.
“The Dauphiné is usually one of the hardest stage races of the season, and this year it won’t be any different, as it brings on the route some of France’s toughest climbs. Most of our riders have recently completed an altitude training camp and it will be nice to see them back in action. We have a quite balanced team that can go for a good result regardless of the terrain. There should be a couple of opportunities for us next week and we are determined to make the most out of them as we kick off the second part of the season”, said sports director Geert Van Bondt.
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