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Criterium du Dauphine 2014: Hard men following the Jens Voigt example

Jan Bakelants and Lieuwe Westra lead new breed of breakaway specialists

Legendary hardman Jens Voigt (Trek Factory Racing) may now be 42 years of age but the German is not showing any signs of slowing in his final professional year.

His motto, ‘shut up legs’, has become iconic in a career which has earned him iconic status thanks to his penchant for joining the break.

Jens Voigt was in the break again on stage six of the Criterium du Dauphine (pic: Sirotti)

It is a tactic, and a motto, which has served him well too – 29 career wins, including stages at the Tour de France and Giro d’Italia, and four Criterium International triumphs a testament to that.

And the German has been at it again this year – getting himself into regular breaks at the Tour Down Under and now the Criterium du Dauphine.

At the latter, in particular, though he has found himself among phenomenally strong company – with former team-mate Jan Bakelants (Omega Pharma-Quickstep) going on to win stage six.

With Voigt due to retire at the end of the season, those who have been lighting things up at the head of the race could well be lining up to step into his shoes.

But which of the current crop could go on to earn the same plaudits Voigt has during his lengthy, illustrious career?

Read our analysis over the following pages.

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