Arguably the most prestigious stage race on the WorldTour calendar outside of the Grand Tours, the Criterium du Dauphine returns for its 66th edition on Sunday (June 8).
The eight-day race, one of the key Tour de France form finders, will pitch defending champion Chris Froome (Team Sky), Alberto Contador (Tinkoff-Saxo) and Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) against each other for the first time this season.
As three of the favourites for the maillot jaune next month, the race – won for the last three years by Team Sky – provides the perfect opportunity to score an early victory over their rivals.
And the battle for supremacy will be played out on a climb-heavy route in France, with only one short time trial included in this year’s race, meaning the race will almost certainly be decided on the mountainous final weekend.
But who will be in yellow once the riders have crested the Courchevel le Praz on Sunday June 15?
Read on for our in-depth preview of the route and riders over the following pages.
