News: Quickstep to Critérium du Dauphiné

Julian Alaphilippe and Philippe Gilbert are ready to kick-start the second half of their season at French classic stage race, Critérium du Dauphiné

News: Quickstep to Critérium du Dauphiné

Julian Alaphilippe and Philippe Gilbert are ready to kick-start the second half of their season at the French World Tour race

Running between 9-16 June, the 71st edition of the Critérium du Dauphiné starts with two hilly stages perfectly suited to the baroudeurs, before smiling to the sprinters on the roads to Riom and Voroin.

In between, a 26.1km individual time trial held over an undulating parcours will reshuffle the general classification, with the leg to Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne acting as a warm-up for the weekend’s big showdown, which features Montée de Pipay (19km, 6.9%) and the Côte des Rives (8.5km, 6.2%) – Montée de Champéry (5.5km, 4.2%) combo.

UCI World Individual Classification leader Julian Alaphilippe will restart his so far incredible season at his home race following a break he took after a spectacular spring campaign which counted nine successes, including Milano-Sanremo, Strade Bianche and Flèche Wallonne.

Julian Alaphilippe recently put pen to paper and signed a new agreement with Deceuninck – Quick-Step, that will see him ride for the team – with which he turned pro at the beginning of 2014 – through to 2021. “This is the team which gave me the chance to turn pro six years ago and where I feel at home. It’s my second family and I am very grateful for all the support I have received over the years as part of the amazing Wolfpack.”

“I had also other offers, but my priority was always to ink a new deal with Deceuninck – Quick-Step, because this squad has a unique spirit and winning mentality which make up for a perfect environment to develop. I’m happy I could sign this contract before the second part of the season, which I am ready to kick off at the Critérium du Dauphiné, next week”, said the reigning Tour de France KOM champion.

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A stage victor at last year’s edition, Julian will be joined on the start line by another Monument and Dauphiné stage winner, Philippe Gilbert, who is making his sixth appearance at the race.

Also on Deceuninck – Quick-Step’s seven-man team will be Tour of California stage winner Rémi Cavagna, Belgian powerhouse Tim Declercq, Colombian sprinter Alvaro Hodeg – who last week took a stage victory at the Tour of Norway – Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and E3 Harelbeke champion Zdenek Stybar and countryman Petr Vakoc, who is debuting at the Critérium du Dauphiné.

“Dauphiné is more than just a test for the Tour de France, it’s a great and spectacular race in its own right, which this season continues the trend of the past years, putting on the table a hard course favouring the climbers”, explained sports director Brian Holm.

“We go there with a balanced squad headlined by our two Monument winners – Julian and Philippe – who have recently completed an altitude training camp, but the depth of the team gives us the possibility to fight for a good result also with other riders. The summer starts here and the Wolfpack are prepared to leave their mark over as many races as possible.”

Julian Alaphilippe (FRA)
Rémi Cavagna (FRA)
Tim Declercq (BEL)
Philippe Gilbert (BEL)
Alvaro Jose Hodeg Chagui (COL)
Zdenek Stybar (CZE)
Petr Vakoc (CZE)

Sports Director Brian Holm (DEN)
Wilfried Peeters (BEL)

Website www.letour.fr

Stages
09.06.19 Stage 1 Aurillac – Jussac 142.0 km
10.06.19 Stage 2 Mauriac – Craponne-sur-Arzon 180.0 km
11.06.19 Stage 3 Le Puy-en-Velay – Riom 177.0 km
12.06.19 Stage 4 Roanne – Roanne 26.5 km (ITT)
13.06.19 Stage 5 Boën-sur-Lignon – Voiron 201.0 km
14.06.19 Stage 6 Saint-Vulbas Plaine de l’Ain – Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne 228.5 km
15.06.19 Stage 7 Saint-Genix-les-Villages – Les-Sept-Laux-Pipay 133.5 km
16.06.19 Stage 8 Cluses – Champéry 113.5 km