Bahrain Victorious is set for the 73rd edition of the Critérium du Dauphiné from 30th May to 6th June. The race is back to its original eight stages, following last year’s shortened edition.
The race, typically known as the rehearsal for the Tour de France, will cover 1,203.9 kilometres over the eight stages, ascending 21,660 vertical metres. It will provide us with a glimpse of who’s in form in the lead up to the world’s biggest cycling race.
The opening stage may be one for the sprinters to contest, while stage 4 is a 16.4-kilometre time trial in Firminy. The GC will come down to the final two days, with the penultimate stage being the Queen Stage. Starting in Saint Martin Le Vinoux, the riders will take on 171.1km taking on two hors catégorie climbs, with the second of the climbs 17.1km long at 7.5% up to the finish on La Plagne. However, stage 8 will still leave plenty to fight for as the stage goes over six categorised climbs before the finish in Les Gets.
Rolf Aldag commented on the team’s plan for the Dauphiné: ” This is a big rehearsal for the Tour, and I think right now, it would be great to carry the spirit that the team has shown at the Giro, and carry that into the upcoming races. The team have shown great fighting spirit, not giving up and riding aggressively towards the front. We just need to watch what they guys have been doing on TV to see how we want to race moving forward.
Specifically looking at the Dauphiné, we have good options with Sonny on stages 1,3 and 5. We also have Dylan for stages 2, 4 and 6. Stage 4 is the 16 km time trial, and then the last two stages are going to be difficult and decisive, and we want to see how Jack does in the GC and how far Dylan goes as well.
Meanwhile, we have Mark Padun back from altitude training, wanting to prove his shape. Eros is an essential team player. Marco Haller as our Road Captain. And Santiago as our young gun who can join the breakaways on the harder stages. So we are positioned well across the race and will look after the GC, go for stages and be proactive in breakaways.”
