PREVIEW | Criterium du Dauphine 2024 stage 5 - Remco Evenepoel's first day in yellow jersey one for the sprinters

The Criterium du Dauphiné has had it's first key stage and in the time-trial, Remco Evenepoel took control of the race. His first day in the race lead should be a relatively calm one as it features the last opportunity for the sprinters. We preview stage 5.

The final opportunity of the race for the sprinters. But will it even be a day for the sprinters at all? Stage 5 is a tricky day with a few climbs that can put big questions in the peloton; but where the fast men will be motivated to perform as it is one of the only two possible sprinter days of the entire race.

The start is indeed mostly flat, but the 199 kilometers through in a few obstacles. This comes in the form of a few false-flat ascents in the first half of the stage, but mainly the Côte de Duerne which is 5 kilometers long at 7%. It ends with 91 kilometers to go, and then the riders slowly descend until another ascent.

The Côte di Givors is then 3.8 kilometers at 4.6% and finishes with 56 kilometers to go. Rolling roads follow, but the final 35 kilometers are then easier to control. This does not mean they are fully flat however, another small climb finishes with 23 kilometers to go which is 1.8 kilometers long at 5.1% - in the right circumstances, it could be a launchpad for more attacks.

The final 20 kilometer then, can finally be termed flat. Into Saint-Priest however there is a technical finale. The final 1.8 kilometers actually are completely flat and straightforward, but right before them there is a very twisty section entering the city which could be beneficial for late attacks or a surviving breakaway.

The Weather

Some wind from the south, which will come as a cross-headwind throughout most of the day, not good for the breakaway. The last 35 kilometers will have a bit of a tailwind, but this won't be the case in the finishing straight.

The Favourites

Mads Pedersen - Winner of stage 1 and the strongest sprinter in the race apparently. It was a comfortable triumph with a good leadout. Lidl-Trek are an united team and they should do good on this day as they have good chances of winning. Whilst the sprint is flat, the day is hard and will benefit him.

Sam Bennett - The Irishman finished second on the first sprint but was distant from the win. I still do believe Bennett is packing some serious watts and can do well, and his climbing legs were also very good in Dunkerque. It's his final opportunity and Decathlon have good - but unexperienced - men to lead him out. Let's see if this time around it will improve.

A flat sprint, it won't benefit many of the fast men that are present in the race. I expect a strong performance from Emils Liepins, Clément Venturini... Whilst in only bunch sprint of the race we had Hugo Page, Owain Doull and and Michele Gazzoli do quite well.

Magnus Cort Nielsen, Davide De Pretto, Vito Braet, Ide Schelling, Milan Menten, Casper Pedersen, Jensen Plowright, Iván García Cortina and Fred Wright are other sprinters/classics riders with a good sprint that should aim for a result on this day. Yes, virtually thinking of the same riders as in the first stage. This is the second and final opportunity for the fast men to succeed.

Whilst the weather is not in favour of a breakaway, the hilly profile and tailwind finale do make it a possibility. I would consider such riders as a threat: Bruno Armirail, Dorian Godon, Nils Politt, Andreas Leknessund, Chris Juul-Jensen, Oier Lazkano, Andreas Kron and Jonas Rutsch.

Prediction Criterium du Dauphiné 2024 stage 5:

*** Mads Pedersen
** Sam Bennett, Hugo Page
* Emils Lipeins, Clement Venturini, Owain Doull, Michele Gazzoli, Milan Menten,

Pick: Mads Pedersen