A team time trial, a dress rehearsal of great interest to the teams ahead of the Tour de France but probably not as gripping for onlookers. This stage will reset the overall classification before the race heads into the mountains for four consecutive stages.
The last chance for the sprinters and a ride across some fine countryside before a finish in wine country.
A sprint? Probably but the hilly course and the lack of sprinter’s teams mean it’s not certain and the final could be hard to control.
A flat prologue for today, the chance to establish a hierarchy from the start and a quick guide to form. It’s early with the last rider due to finish before many in France will have finished their lunch.
A build-up race ahead of the Tour de France, the Dauphiné has often supplied some of the best racing of the year in recent seasons. This year’s race has a lighter start list than usual, here’s a look at the contenders and more.
Tech reviews are rare here but having reviewed a Garmin 820 Edge GPS bike computer here partly out of disappointment here’s a follow-up with a comparable device from Wahoo that has become a reliable companion on recon rides.
With the Giro done a look the winners and losers on the victory rankings as well as some transfer talk.
Chris Froome attacks on the Colle delle Finestre. Simon Yates has imploded, Domenic Pozzovivo has cracked and Tom Dumoulin and Thibaut Pinot watch as Froome goes solo. They will chase on the road to the Jafferau but slowly Dumoulin loses his virtual lead and Froome takes the overall lead.
The final stage in mountains and a very long day with some hard climbing awaits. If you plan to watch on TV don’t miss the earlier than usual finish too, info below.
