The Critrium du Dauphin has always been one of the warm-up races for the impending Tour de France and a good guide to the form of the top Classement Gnral riders. Of course the Giro d’Italia winner, Alberto Contador, will not be on the start line in Ugine on Sunday, nor will Nairo Quintana but the last two Tour winners will be. Along with Nibali and Froome; Valverde, Van Garderen, Talansky, Dan Martin and Rodriguez should make it an interesting race. Sam Larner takes us through the French stage race.- Words by Sam Larner -The Dauphine has become synonymous with overall Tour de France success, of the last 8 winners of the Tour de France all 8 have ridden the Dauphin before they won in Paris. As much as it’s the race to aim at for general classification riders, it’s one to avoid for green jersey contenders – just 1 out of 8 have won the green jersey after racing the Dauphine, Tom Boonen 2007. This year the Dauphine organizers have fully embraced their role as the best preparation for the Tour by including one stage, stage 5, which is an exact replica of stage 17 of the Grand Tour. Again, it’s slim pickings for sprinters who will have to make do with just one pure sprint stage all week. The Dauphine will be even more appealing to overall contenders and their teams because it features a 24.5km team time trial which mirrors almost exactly the profile that they will...
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