Critérium du Dauphiné

The 62nd edition of the Critérium du Dauphiné will take place starting 6th June 2010 and finishing on 13th June.  The race organizer is now Amaury Sports (the folks that stage Le Tour) taking over from the regional newspaper that ran the event Le Daupine' Libere' for the past 61 years.

PrologueSunday, June 6 2010 Location: Evian-les-Bains (ITT) Distance:6.8 km Photos

Stage 1Monday, June 7 2010 Location: Evian-les-Bains - Saint-Laurent-du-Pont Distance: 191 km

Stage 2Tuesday, June 8 2010 Location:Annonay - Bourg-Saint-Andéol Distance:177 km

Stage 3Wednesday, June 9 2010 Location: Monteux - Sorgues (ITT) Distance: 49 km

Stage 4Thursday, June 10 2010 Location: Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux - Risoul Distance:210 km

Stage 5Friday, June 11 2010 Location:Serre-Chevalier - Grenoble Distance:143.5 km

Stage 6Saturday, June 12 2010 Location:Crolles - Alpe-d’Huez Distance: 151.5 km

Stage 7Sunday, June 13 2010 Location:Allevard-les-Bains - Sallanches Distance:148 km

This is a traditional warm-up and test of conditioning for the riders prior to le Tour de France.  This year it looks as though it is Alberto Contador's race to lose.  He is far and away the favorite.  Denis Menchov and Sammy Snachez will also race, but. their chances of beating Contador are slim to none.  The race will feature the storied climb up the 21 switchbacks of L' Alpe d' Huez on the penultimate day.  There will also be a fairly long time trial, in which it will be interesting to see how Contador's ITT skills have developed.

In 1998, Judy and I had a holiday in France and were able to witness two stages of the Dauphine.  And it was very cool by the way.  We were in the alps in a chalet with a great view of Mount Blanc.  We were in a town called Combloux, which is next to Megeve where we saw the arrive' of one stage that was won by Richard Virenque up the top of the ski slope.  Then the next stage started and finished in Megeve.  So, we were able to visit the starting village, the riders sign-in and the start.  When they riders returned, we observed the show, and it is a show - the cars with the podium girls and celebrity guests, the motorcycles, the officials, etc...come through at least 1/2-3/4 hour before the racers honking their horns and making all kinds of commotion..it is a circus to be sure, a traveling circus.   After the riders came through - we observed them coming up a short steep climb, we got in the car and drove to the finish line in Megeve,  We just missed the podium awards, but had a good time nonetheless.