Andrew Talansky (Cannondale-Garmin) has endured an inconsistent season but he is finding his form at just the right time with the Tour de France under a month away. The American suffered through a number of early season races and was forced out of the Tour of California due to illness. However, he bounced back to win the US national time trial championships last month.
Currently racing at the Critérium du Dauphiné, where he is the defending champion, Talansky sits 23rd overall, 43 seconds down on former teammate and race leader Rohan Dennis after the fourth stage.
Stage 5 sees the race enter the mountains for the first time with a 161-kilometre stage from Digne-les-Bains to Pra Loup. As far as Tour de France preparation goes, it’s as perfect as it gets with the stage set to replicated in July on stage 17.
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“I really don’t know [the final climb] it but we have Andreas Klier here and Bingen Fernandez, and they’ve done all their research and will explain what it’s like to us,” Talansky told Cyclingnews as he warmed down after stage 4.
“I’m looking forward to the stage though because it’s exactly the same as the one at the Tour de France. That’s the whole point of this race. Obviously any results here are welcome but it’s about finishing and adding to the preparation for July.”
As the defending champion in a WorldTour event there is an air of responsibility on Talansky’s shoulders but the American is approaching the upcoming mountain stages with a pragmatic outlooks.
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