The Jumbo-Visma brings out the armada for the Criterium
As July approaches, fashion turns irresistibly yellow. The Jumbo-Visma formation obviously chose to go to the Critérium du Dauphiné to try a show of force. With Primoz Roglic and Jonas Vingegaard as leaders, the two dolphins of Tadej Pogacar on the Tour de France in 2020 and 2021, we already have a feeling that the forecasts will lean on the side of yellow and black. The rest of the workforce indicates above all that the Jumbo-Visma will certainly have the opportunity to shine every day.
At the head of a group no doubt close to that which will present itself on July 1 at the Grand Départ of the Tour in Copenhagen (Benoot, Kruisjwijk, Laporte), the Roglic-Vingegaard-van Aert trio impresses. But, warns sporting director Grisha Niermann, “the main goal” is in July. “We will see day after day. We think that the riders are in good shape after a first training course at altitude but winning this Dauphiné is not an objective in itself”, he affirms while estimating that the race “comes at the moment ideal”, between two courses at altitude. Vingegaard discovered the Dauphiné last year in relative anonymity apart from his 2nd place in the last stage. Roglic, on the other hand, wore the leader’s yellow jersey for three days during his only participation in 2020 before giving up on the morning of the last stage, following a fall. For the Slovenian, it’s time for revenge, as in Paris-Nice which he won last March.
The Ardèche stages could thus suit Wout van Aert or Christophe Laporte, while the time trial at La Bâtie d’Urfé may allow Rohan Dennis to invite himself to the front row. In the mountains, the headliners will also be able to count on the reinforcement of quality lieutenants from Benoot and Kruijswijk. But the Dutch formation will also have a response throughout the week.
STEPS
Sunday June 5 : 1st stage, La Voulte-sur-Rhône – Beauchastel (191.8 km)
Monday, June 6 : 2nd stage, Saint-Péray – Brives-Charensac (169.8 km)
Tuesday, June 7 : 3rd stage, Saint-Paulien – Chastreix-Sancy (164 km)
Wednesday, June 8 : 4th stage, Montbrison – La Bâtie d’Urfé (31.9 km individual time trial)
Thursday, June 9 : 5th stage, Thizy-les-Bourgs – Chainbtré (162.3 km)
Friday June 10 : 6th stage, Rives – Gap (196.4 km)
Saturday June 11 : 7th stage, Saint-Chaffrey – Vaujany (134.8 km)
Sunday June 12 : 8th stage, Saint-Alban-Leysse – Plateau de Solaison (139.2 km)