In a recent update on cycling routes, Tour de France director Christian Prudhomme lifted the veil on this year’s Critérium du Dauphiné games. While its 2024 courses promised a week-long spectacle, the news of two-time Tour winner Tadej Pogačar’s absence left many fans curious. Making headlines on February 1, the official announcements from Lyon also noted five uphill finishes at the venue. 

Planning for a cycling showdown between top-tier climbers, the event is all set to kick off on June 2. Scheduled on the courses of Saint-Pourçain-sur-Sioule, this 77-year-old race embraced a bold route this year that spanned nearly 750 miles. Although Pogačar’s unavailability became a notable omission from the start line, the game posed contrasting dynamics for Primož Roglič and many others. 

Cycling professional unavailable in ascent challenges 

As the UAE Team Emirates’ cycling champion marked his exclusivity, the 2024 games boasted the presence of reigning champion Jonas Vingegaard. With Remco Evenepoel ready to unleash his prowess on the challenging course, the race spoke volumes in its electrifying prospects. 

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Significantly, with Vingegaard eyeing a third consecutive triumph, many questioned if Pogačar’s absence was strategic. Featuring eight distinct stages in cycling, the Critérium du Dauphiné routes revealed a chessboard of battles. With multiple counts of uphill finishes, it also included a flat opening stage that was evidently perfect for sprinters. 

While the mountainous cycling paths dominated its final stages, the event posed further tests for all participating climbers. With Stage 2 to Col de la Loge presenting a short yet grueling trip, the maps packed a whopping total of 15.5 miles (25 km) in climbing over an 89-mile (142 km) course. On the longest uphill routes, the Stage 3 promised a battleground for punchers and climbers alike. 

Audacious categories marked by an array of climbs

Notably, the individual cycling categories of the time trial in Stage 4 added further twists. Setting the stage for intensified rivalries, race organizers hinted at lineup spots from challengers like Sepp Kuss, Jai Hindley, and Tao Geoghegan Hart. With wildcard invites to Q36.5 Pro Cycling and Uno-X Mobility, they also highlighted how unexpected moves could be in play.

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As the Critérium du Dauphiné reached its crescendo, the 11.1km climb became another daunting challenge for the cycling professionals. Marking an average incline of 8.1%, the penultimate stage finish was spotted atop Montée de Samoëns 1600. Posing relentless ascents and four category-1 climbs, these parameters made the race a battle for the toughest.

With promises of a fitting climax, the cycling venture also included four categorized climbs. As the last section noted a 9.4km ascent, its 7.1% gradient left fans in anticipation. As cyclists tackled the Plateau des Glières, the echoes of the upcoming Tour de France added further layers to this buzz. 

As the wheels turned for the 2024 Critérium du Dauphiné, cycling enthusiasts remained poised to witness the sport’s finest drama. With Tadej Pogačar’s absence casting a minor shadow, this edition promised not just a race but a narrative in saddleback climbs. Ready for a dance of tactics, seasoned athletes geared up to etch milestones, hoping to navigate the thrill of these uphill battles. 

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