PREVIEW | Criterium du Dauphine 2024 stage 6 - Mountain stage to test Remco Evenepoel and Primoz Roglic after mass crash

Stage 6 of the Criterium du Dauphiné is a crucial day for the overall classification. We preview the day after the likes of Remco Evenepoel, Primoz Roglic and Juan Ayuso have crashed. Whilst the stage isn't the hardest of the three remaining mountain stages, it will be a test for those who have fallen today.

The Dauphiné reaches the high mountains! The peloton is now reaching the Alps and stage 6 will prove to be a very important day for the overall classification. The true climbing form of the big contenders for the race will be exposed here, in a day that is not overly hard but features a brutal summit finish.

Most of the day is indeed flat and not beneficial for a breakaway. The only true obstacle before the final climb is the Col du Granier which is 8.9 kilometers at 5.4%. On paper, there is a small ascent right before the official start, but either ways the climb shouldn't be attacked.

It finishes with 44 kilometers to go but there will be a fight for positioning near the top as the descent is steep and rather technical - it is the most famous side of the Granier. The end of the descent leaves the riders with 34 kilometers to go, and the peloton will then ride into the base of the final climb.

Le Collet d'Allevard is a climb that is similar to the Alpe d'Huez, only less popular. Similar distance and gradient: It is 11.1 kilometers at 8.1% and with plenty (12) switchbacks through a windy mountainside road. This is a serious climb, very constant from start to finish and certainly one where big differences can be created.

The Weather

Small chances of rain. Be warned, today it was similar and the rain ended up creating a shocking finale to the stage. The same could in theory happen again... Wind-wise there is a small northwestern gust, it should not really affect the stage much.

The Favourites

Remco Evenepoel - The first of the three riders that will have a real test. Evenepoel is not a pure climber, but this is virtually a one-effort stage which suits him quite well. Will he have recovered from the minor shoulder injury? If so I expect him to keep the race lead, perhaps expand it over Roglic. Mikel Landa and Ilan van Wilder provide great support, I do expect Quick-Step to have a good day.

Primoz Roglic - Another minor shoulder injury, from Roglic. He does not like the high mountains too much, as is the case with Evenepoel. On a more explosive stage such as this he usually does better so I see both well balanced. Aleksandr Vlasov should have some freedom whilst Jai Hindley can be a key support rider for the duo for now. Roglic will want to prove himself after going down twice in three days.

Juan Ayuso - Ayuso was hurt after today's crash. It definitely is an uncertainty whether he will be able to show his best legs. UAE Team Emirates will back him up surely, however Marc Soler and Pavel Sivakov surely won't be held back if the Spaniard starts to struggle.

Matteo Jorgenson - In my opinion, the winner of today. Third in the GC, he saw both Evenepoel and Roglic go down. This very mountainous race is not as well suited to Jorgenson as Paris-Nice where he beat the two riders above. He cannot use tactics to make the winning gap as was the case there, and needs to rely on his climbing. Still, thus far, a perfect race... The American certainly has the shot to do very well here and with Sepp Kuss backing him up he could even aim to move up a spot if today's crash does some effect.

Carlos Rodríguez - Rodríguez is a rider of a very high level, but it's not easy to know when he will strike. 10th in the GC, he certainly will want to use this stage - as is the case with the others - to move up. A quality climber, perhaps he will like the final weekend of racing, but here he does have a shot to already make the difference or win the stage - or maybe both!

It is the first mountain stage however and plenty riders will be gauging where they stand in this field. Always an interesting day. A few riders like Derek Gee, Oier Lazkano and Bruno Armirail are quite up the GC and it will be interesting to see how they defend themselves. On the opposite side, a few riders such as David Gaudu, Guillaume Martin or Iván Sosa will want to climb as much as possible up the standings on this day after poor time-trials.

We've got the Bahrain - Victorious duo of Santiago Buitrago and Jack Haig whom I expect good rides from... The duos of Tao Geoghegan Hart and Giulio Ciccone; Neilson Powless and Lukas Nerurkar will also be interesting, as the riders seek their own leadership.

Clément Berthet, Andreas Leknessund, Warren Barguil, Cristián Rodríguez, Louis Meintjes, Harold Tejada and Callum Scotson will all be riders to eye in this mountain stage.

Prediction Criterium du Dauphiné 2024 stage 6:

*** Carlos Rodríguez, Matteo Jorgenson
** Remco Evenepoel, Primoz Roglic, Aleksandr Vlasov
* Juan Ayuso, Sepp Kuss, Iván Sosa, Santiago Buitrago, Jack Haig, Tao Geoghegan Hart, Giulio Ciccone, Lukas Nerurkar, Clément Berthet

Pick: Carlos Rodríguez