The Tour de France appetizer
This Sunday June 9 comes the Critérium du Dauphiné, the race that is considered, by runners and fans, as the “pre-Tour de France” race, as the french big tour starts in a month. The race is the ideal space for those who have been preparing the Tour to ultimate the form and to begin to show us their weapons.
Ineos to defend title
Of the last seven editions, up to five times the winner of Critérium du Dauphiné has also won the Tour. Bradley Wiggins did it in 2012, as they did Chris Froome (1000) in 2013, 2015 and 2016 and Geraint Thomas (1200) last year. Although both Thomas and Froomehave competed little and leaving many doubts this 2018, the two British men from Ineos are presented as the top favorites without question for the Tour de France, although a few will try to dispute their domain. In Chritérium du Dauphiné, however, Thomas is not compeeting, and Froome will be accompanied by Michael Kwiatkowski (1200), Wout Poels (800) and Gianni Moscon (800).
Many aspirants
We will have to be attentive to the startlist, as many teams are still to confirm their alignment. For now, this edition of the Critérium du Dauphiné will feature several important men from the international pelotón. One of those to be taken seriously is 2017 winner, Jakob Fuglsang (1200), who this 2019 has shown the best shape of his life, culminating a spring of podiums with his victory in Liège-Bastogne-Liège.
The Deceuninck - Quick Step presents a team with Julian Alaphilippe (1200) as their main weapon, although he will also be accompanied by Zdenek Stybar (800) and Philippe Gilbert (800). Also Bora - Hansgrohe presents a team with all the heavy artillery: Felix Grossschartner (1000), Emanuel Buchmann (1000), Maximilian Schachmann (1200), Gregor Mühlberger (600) and, for the sprints, Sam Bennett (1200). What a great team.
Romain Bardet (1000), Thibaut Pinot (1200), Tejay Van Garderen (800), Steven Kruijswijk (1000), Michael Kwiatkowski (1200), Richie Porte (800), Adam Yates (1200), Michael Woods (800), Ion Izagirre (1200), Dan Martin (1000) and Nairo Quintana (1200) complete the favorites list.
Profiles for all tastes
This year's edition presents a lot of variety in the profiles. An individual time trial of very similar characteristics to the upcoming in Tour de France in a month, a couple of stages that can reach the sprint and a lot of hilly and high mountain stages, so that those who are strong can show themselves. This is the menu organizers prepared for us.