Criterium Dauphine begins Sunday
Wiggins, Evans, Andy Schleck face off in Tour de France warmup
The 64th Criterium du Dauphine will kick off on Sunday. The prestigious eight-day French stage race acts – along with the Tour de Suisse – as a crucial Tour de France warm up. This year’s start list reveals a series of Tour favourites.
Among those expected to perform well are defending champion Bradley Wiggins (Sky), last year’s Tour winner Cadel Evans (BMC), newly crowned 2010 Tour winner Andy Schleck (RadioShack-Nissan), Sammy Sanchez (Euskatel), Denis Menchov (Katusha), Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas) and Lotto-Belisol’s Tour hope Jurgen Van Den Broeck.
Once known as the Dauphine Libere, this WorldTour contest begins with a 5.7-kilometre time trial prologue in Grenoble and includes a 53-kilometre time trial near its middle. But, as usual, the mountains will be a determining factor in the GC.
The last three stages feature several big climbs such as the Col de Joux-Plane, Col de la Colombiere, and the Col du Cordier. The ascent of the Grand Colombier will be a preview for the Tour riders, as la Grand Boucle will include this climb for the first time in July.
The final stage ends on a long, gradual climb up to Chatel, assuring fireworks on the last day. The Criterium Dauphine runs from June 3-10. The Tour de Suisse, which will include Canadian Pro Continental team SpiderTech, is held from June 9-17.
