Criterium du Dauphine 2016 Stage 2: Crêches-sur-Saône - Chalmazel-Jeansagnière, 167.5km
Map and profile
The first uphill road stage finish of the race should provide another shake up in the overall standings with a third category climb up to Chalmazel-Jeansagnière. The preceding 155km are rolling throughout with the Col de Durbize coming inside the opening 15km, and the Col de la Croix Nicelle after 52km. However, it's the final slog to up Chalmazel-Jeansagnière and the all-important Côte de Saint-Georges-en-Couzan that comes just before that should set the race alight. Teams such as Sky and Tinkoff will have to measure their approaches in order to control the field but with so many fresh legs, the attacks will be constant. If this stage came later in the race it would be ideal for a break but with the race so tightly contested, there's little chance in the peloton being so relaxed.
Cyclingnews' top tip: Simon Gerrans (Orica-GreenEdge): A breakaway could be a threat but if not – or if in there – the Australian has the characteristics to be aggressive on the long, gentle ascent to the line, along with the requisite punch to finish it off.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Latest on Cyclingnews
-
Tour of Flanders organiser urges fans to show respect after spitting incident and past misconduct
Flanders Classic to deploy over 130 stewards along route -
Every Lotto rider is getting a custom paint job for Tour of Flanders, and here are five of them
Each bike is inspired from a Lotto jersey of the past -
Thibau Nys takes GP Miguel Indurain win at first road race of 2025
Belgian holds off Molenaar and Bagioli in late race attack -
Dion Smith scores Intermarché-Wanty's first win of 2025 at the Volta NXT Classic
New Zealander beats Van Den Broeck and Larsen to the line in Eijsden