A week after the end of the turn, it is the turn for the candidates for the Tour, who go on stage tomorrow in a Dauphiné criterium … With a luxury participation. In addition, it will be the stage of the first confrontation of the season between Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard and Remco Evenepoel, who do not see the faces from the podium of the past tour with victory for the first. From the departure in Domérat and the arrival, eight days later, at the Plateau du Mont-Cenis, more than 2,000 meters of altitude, large cycling days are expected and the states of the main candidates for the great Bouclé that will start on July 5 in Lille are expected.
Since the classic season closed, Pogacar has dedicated himself to recovering strength from that successful first block of the year and preparation for the tour. The Slovenian won four classics – Strade Bianche, Vallea Arrow, Flanders and Lieja Tour – was second in San Remo and Roubaix, and third in Amstel. A brilliant record and an important effort that Pogacar is confident in being recovered for its great objective of the season, its fourth tour of France.
Tadej Pogacar has trained in Sierra Nevada and goes to a test with which he is barely related, since he only ran the 2020 edition, where he was fourth. So ahead has another challenge, winning for the first time one of the great quotes of the calendar in stages.
The spring of Jonas Vingegaard has been very different from that of his rival. The Danish began very well, winning with authority the Volta to the Algarve, but he had to withdraw in the Paris-Nice for a fall that caused a brain shock in the sixth stage. Since then he has dedicated himself to training, with different concentrations in height, with the spotlight on the tour. He arrives at the Dauphiné with only ten days of competition, but Vingegaard hopes to show from July 5 his best version to win his third big Bouclé.
The third in Discord is an Evenepoel who started the season too late because of a serious accident he suffered in December when he trained and crashed into the door of a van. He arrived in time to win the Brubançona arrow and be seen in the Ardenas classics in search of a tuning that must be confirmed from today. Next to them, other-Tour men such as Carlos Rodríguez, Skjelmose, Mas or Gall will be at the exit of a test that has a chrono of 17 kilometers and the finals in Alto de Valmeinier 1800 on Saturday and Plateau du Mont-Cenis on Sunday as decisive stages.
A week after the conclusion of the giro d’Italia,cycling enthusiasts eagerly anticipate the Critérium du Dauphiné,kicking off tomorrow. This prestigious stage race serves as a crucial preparatory ground for the contenders vying for victory at the Tour de France. … boasting elite participation, the Dauphiné is poised to provide a thrilling spectacle. moreover, it marks the first head-to-head showdown this season between Tadej Pogačar, jonas Vingegaard, and Remco Evenepoel, who last shared the podium at the previous Tour, with Pogačar claiming the top spot. from the starting point in Domérat to the finish on the Plateau du Mont-Cenis, situated at an altitude exceeding 2,000 meters, the race promises intense cycling action. This competition will offer a critical assessment of the form of the leading aspirants for the Grand Bouclé, which commences on July 5th in Lille.
Since the conclusion of the spring classics season, Pogačar has focused on recuperating his strength after a highly successful early-season campaign and preparing for the Tour de France. The Slovenian rider secured victories in four major classics – Strade bianche, La Flèche Wallonne, the Tour of Flanders, and Liège-Bastogne-Liège – and achieved second-place finishes in Milan-San Remo and Paris-Roubaix, along with a third-place finish in the Amstel Gold Race. This remarkable record demonstrates Pogačar’s remarkable form, and he is confident of being fully recovered for his primary objective of the season: winning his fourth Tour de France.
Tadej Pogačar has been undergoing rigorous training in the Sierra Nevada mountains and now enters a race with which he has limited experience, having only competed in the 2020 edition, where he finished fourth. He is thus aiming to achieve another goal: winning for the first time one of the major stage races on the cycling calendar.
Jonas Vingegaard’s spring season has contrasted sharply with his rival’s. The Danish cyclist began strongly, with a dominant victory at the Volta ao Algarve, but was forced to withdraw from Paris-Nice after a fall that resulted in a concussion on stage six. Since then, he has been dedicating himself to training, including high-altitude camps, specifically targeting the Tour de France. He comes to the Dauphiné with only ten days of racing under his belt, but Vingegaard is hoping to display his best form starting on July 5th to secure his third Grand Bouclé title.
the third key rider to watch is Remco Evenepoel, who started his season later than planned due to a serious accident in December during a training session when he collided with a van. He recovered in time to win the Brabantse Pijl and demonstrated his prowess in the Ardennes classics,seeking to fine-tune his form in the Dauphiné.Alongside these three titans, other potential Tour de France contenders, such as Carlos Rodríguez, Mattias Skjelmose, Enric mas, and Felix Gall, will also be participating. The race features a 17-kilometer individual time trial and key stages with summit finishes at Valmeinier 1800 on Saturday and the Plateau du Mont-Cenis on Sunday.
Critical Dauphiné data and Rider Comparisons
To provide a clearer picture of the contenders’ current statuses, here’s a concise summary of key data, focusing on their form, recent performances, and overall objectives.
| Rider | Recent Results/Form | Dauphiné objective | Tour de France Objective | Key strengths |
| :—————- | :———————————————————————————————————————————————- | :——————————————————- | :———————————————————- | :—————————————————— |
| Tadej Pogačar | Winner of Strade Bianche,La Flèche Wallonne,tour of Flanders,Liège-Bastogne-Liège; 2nd in Milan-San Remo and Paris-Roubaix | Gauge his form against key rivals; refine race strategy. | Win his fourth Tour de France. | Climbing,Time Trialing,Versatility,Strong mental game |
| Jonas Vingegaard | Volta ao Algarve winner; recovering from concussion; limited racing days | Assess fitness after injury; build race sharpness. | Win his third Tour de France. | Climbing, Endurance, Tactical awareness |
| Remco Evenepoel | Brabantse Pijl winner; Competitive in Ardennes Classics. | Test his form in a stage race and prepare for the Tour. | compete for podium finish at the Tour.| Climbing, Time Trialing, Aggressive racing style |
| Carlos Rodríguez | Consistent performer in stage races. | Gain experience, test the form. | Top 5 finish at the Tour. | Climbing, strong in the mountains.|
| Mattias Skjelmose | Strong climber from the last season, building form. | Refine race strategy. | Finish high at the Tour. | Strong climber, strong in the mountains. |
Dauphiné Critérium: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
This FAQ addresses common queries about the Dauphiné, the riders, and the meaning of the race.
Q: What is the Critérium du Dauphiné?
A: The Critérium du Dauphiné is a prestigious, multi-stage road cycling race held annually in the Dauphiné region of France. It serves as a crucial preparation platform for riders aiming to compete in the Tour de France.
Q: Why is the Dauphiné critically important?
A: The Dauphiné allows riders to gauge their form,test race strategies,and refine their fitness in a high-level competitive environment. It’s a key indicator of who could be in contention, and who might be the favorites for the Tour de France.
Q: Who are the main contenders to watch in the 2024 Dauphiné?
A: The primary riders to watch are Tadej Pogačar, Jonas Vingegaard, and Remco Evenepoel. Other contenders such as Carlos Rodríguez, Skjelmose, and Mas may also figure in the overall standings.
Q: What key stages will determine the outcome?
A: The individual time trial and the summit finishes at Valmeinier 1800 and Plateau du Mont-Cenis are expected to be decisive stages, impacting the overall standings. The race is strategically mapped out to test climbing ability, time-trial prowess, and overall stamina.
Q: How does the Dauphiné impact the Tour de France?
A: Performances in the Dauphiné directly influence a rider’s chances at the Tour de France. A strong performance in the Dauphiné can boost confidence and provide momentum, while any setbacks can highlight potential weaknesses and affect strategic adjustments for both the rider and their team. The Dauphiné enables teams to finalize their strategy for the upcoming Tour.
Q: Where can I follow the Critérium du Dauphiné?
A: You can follow the race through live television broadcasts (check your local listings),online streaming services,and real-time updates from reputable sports news outlets. Social media is also a great source for news and live commentary.
