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From June 5 to 12, the peloton of the Critérium du Dauphiné will be a who's who of global cycling. The “July feel” will be even more intense in this 63rd edition than in previous ones, since the time trial in Grenoble is a carbon copy of the ITT riders will tackle in the penultimate stage of the Tour de France. The world elite is ready to get down to business.
The climbs of the 2011 Dauphiné are among the most renowned in the cycling universe, with four summit finishes on the menu this time around. Without a shadow of a doubt, all eyes will be cast on those who specialise in steep gradients. It will also be an opportunity to assess the riders' form less than three weeks before the Grande Boucle kicks off.
The highlights among the main contenders are Cadel Evans (BMC), 2010 Giro champion Ivan Basso (LIQ), Alexander Vinokourov (AST), Jurgen Van Den Broeck (OLO), Olympic champion Samuel Sánchez (EUS) and Robert Gesink (RAB), winner of the Tour of Oman. They will be racing with one clear goal in mind: to usurp the crown of 2010 victor Janez Brajkovič.
Young prodigies could also have their say and join the battle alongside the big guns. Rein Taaramäe (COF) will be determined to confirm the good results he achieved during the early season, just like Richie Porte (SBS), who shone on the roads of the 2010 Giro. On the French side, Thomas Voeckler (EUC) will be spearheading the tricolore armada. The Gauls will also count on Rémy Di Gregorio (AST), who took a monstrous stage in Paris-Nice earlier this year, as well as Jérôme Coppel (SAU), who finished 5th in 2010. Pierrick Fédrigo (FDJ), David Moncoutié (COF), Anthony Charteau (EUC) and Brice Feillu (LEO) are also intent on carrying the banner for their respective teams.