The 2016 Critérium du Dauphiné route has been announced with the race taking place between June 5-12 and covering 1,147 kilometres. The WorldTour race, which is a key build-up event for the Tour de France, begins with a tough uphill 3.9km time trial in Les Gets.
Race organisers ASO have also unveiled the selection of teams set to take part in the French stage race with the 18 World Tour team joined by four wildcards: Cofidis, Bora-Argon 18, Wanty Groupe Gobert and Direct Energie.
Defending champion Chris Froome (Team Sky), Alberto Contador (Tinkoff Team), Fabio Aru (Astana), Tejay van Garderen (BMC Racing), Romain Bardet (Ag2r-La Mondiale) and Thibault Pinot (FDJ) are all expected to line up in Les Gets on June 5 for the opening stage.
ADVERTISEMENT
After the lung-busting opening prologue – the only time trial of this year’s race – stage 1 sees the peloton take on more sprint-friendly terrain with a 186-kilometre stage from Cluses to Saint-Vulbas. The nature of the parcours changes once more on stage 2 with the punchers and GC contenders set to do battle on the third category climb to the finish on Chalmazel-Jeansagnière.
With just two fourth category climbs on stage 3 from Boën-sur-Lignon to Tournon-sur-Rhône the sprinters should enjoy their second bite of the cherry. Stage 4 holds a similar opportunity for the fast men with a 176-kilometre stage from Tain-l'Hermitage to Belley.
Stage five, and the second category climb finish should see the overall contenders and climbers of the race more the fore. The opening 80 kilometres of the stage is peppered with climbs – six in all – before the long section in the valley before the final ascent and first proper mountain-top finish.
You can read more at Cyclingnews.com
via Cyclingnews Latest News http://ift.tt/1SqwAmC
No comments:
Post a Comment