The Critérium du Dauphiné returns to its traditional format in 2021, with the individual time trial returning after a one-off period. The route, which was unveiled on Monday, will have a finish last weekend on the top mountains at the Alpine resorts of La Plagne and Les Gets.
Last year’s Dauphiné was the first in history not to have a time trial. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the event was later moved to mid-August and shortened to five phases, with Daniel Martínez emerging victorious.
The Dauphiné of 2021 starts on May 30 in the Auvergne with an 182 km stage that starts and ends in Issoire, where the undulating terrain can be outside the super sprinters. The fast men would have to get a clearer opportunity the next day from Romain Bardet’s hometown Brioude to Saugues.
Phase 3 brings the race to Saint-Haon-le-Vieux, with an uphill straight finish that could tip the balance in favor of connoisseurs.
Given the amount of time tested for miles on the 2021 Tour de France route, it is no surprise that the discipline is returning to the Dauphiné this year. However, unlike some recent editions of the race, the time trial is not quite a dress rehearsal for the tests in July, as the stage from Firminy to Roche-La-Molière is only 16.5 km long.
The terrain becomes rougher in the second half of the Dauphiné, starting with a day adapted for punches on stage 5 from Saint-Chamond to Saint-Vallier. The Category 2 Côte du Montrebut comes just over 12 km from the finish and serves as an ideal springboard for attackers.
The stage serves as a preface to three demanding last days in the Alps. Phase 6 brings the race across the Col de Porte (7.4 km at 6.8 percent) before a two-part climb to the finish line at Le Sappey-en-Chartreuse climbs through the Category 3 ascent of the Côte de la Frette (3.7 km with 5.4 percent) and the Montée du Sappey-en-Chartreuse (3.3 km to 6.2 percent).
The penultimate stage takes the Col du Pré (12.6 km at 7.7 percent) and the Cormet de Roseland (5.7 km at 6.5 percent), before the tight distance to the finish line at La Plagne (17 , 1 km at 7.5 percent).
The out of category Ascent settled down four times at the Tour de France, with Laurent Fignon’s victory in 1984. The Frenchman won again three years later, although Stephen Roche’s dramatic pursuit of Pedro Delgado was overshadowed in the race for the yellow. Jersey. Alex Zülle wrapped Miguel Indurain in the battle to win in 1995, while Michael Boogerd won on the Tour’s last visit in 2002.
The last phase of the Dauphiné contains no less than six classified climbs, including the Col des Aravis (6.7 km at 7 percent) and the Col de la Colombière (11.7 km at 5.8 percent). The most difficult climb of the day is the out of category Col de Joux aircraft (11.6 km at 8.5 percent), the crest of which is just under 17 km from the end. A sharp drop in Morzine follows before the short, uncategorized climb to the finish line at Les Gets.
The 19 WorldTour teams and the 2020 Europe Tour winners, Alpecin-Fenix, will take part in the 2021 Dauphiné, while ASO has confirmed that B&B Hotels p / b KTM and Arkéa-Samsic have received an invitation with a game card.
2021 Criterion of the Dauphiné route
Sunday 30 May. Stage 1, Issoire – Issoire, 182km
Monday 31 May. Phase 2, Brioude – Saugues, 173 km
Tuesday, June 1st. Stadium 3, Langeac – Saint-Haon-Le-Vieux, 172 km
Wednesday 2 June Stadium 4, Firminy – Roche-La-Molière, 16.5 km (individual time trial)
Thursday 3 June Stadium 5, Saint-Chamond – Saint-Vallier, 175.5 km
Friday 4 June Stadium 6, Loriol-sur-Drôme – Le Sappey-en-Chartreuse, 168 km
Saturday 5 June Stadium 7, Saint-Martin-Le-Vinoux – La Plagne, 171.5 km
Sunday, June 6th. Stadium 8, La Léchère-les-Bains – Les Gets 147 km