Through Redaction Saint-Étienne
Published on 30 May 21 at 12:30 p.m.
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The great rehearsal of the Tour de France begins. The 73e edition of the Critérium du Dauphiné set off at 12:25 for her first stage this Sunday, May 30, 2021. A first step in the form of a circuit Issoire (Puy-de-Dôme), which promises to be very open.
With her profile not really flat and in the absence of many sprinters, she could have some surprises in store. If the Auvergne world champion Julian Alaphilippe is finally not present, favoring the tour of Switzerland, another Auralpin could shine.
In the middle of the favorites Sonny Colbrelli, Alex Arranburu and Jasper Stuyven, native Villeurbanne (Rhône) could thus pull out of the game. But the task will be difficult for the rider of the regional training AG2R Citroën Team to get rid of the other big names in the peloton (Van Avermaet, Asgreen, Valverde, Kwiatkowski etc…).
The Croix des Gardes pass
As for the route, the runners will take the Bergonne coast (1.2 kilometers at 6.7%) before arriving at the foot of the two main difficulties. The coast of Buron castle (3.2 km at 6.8%) followed by the Croix des Gardes pass (1.6 km at 5.1%) are far from insurmountable.
Step 1️⃣ ???? Issoire – @VilleIssoire ???? 182 km ????
???? Sunday May 30???? @VilleIssoire welcomes the start of this 73rd edition. A difficult final circuit covered twice!
???? The # Dauphiné 2021 starts from @VilleIssoire. A difficult final circuit covered twice!# Dauphiné pic.twitter.com/5NB7Z1kyLS
– Critérium du Dauphiné (@dauphine) May 12, 2021
Back in Issoire, the runners will cross the finish line for the first time, for an intermediate sprint. They will then set off on a shorter lap, condensed on the two main difficulties, which they will perform twice more. For a total of 181.2 kilometers.
Go live on France 3 from 2.45 p.m. and Eurosport from 2:20 p.m. to follow the race
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