Tour Auvergne - Rhône-Alpes (Dauphiné)

This already smells like the Dauphiné of old. The first serious mountain test, with two mid-stage climbs —Châtelard (Cat. 3) and the well-known Granier (Cat. 2)— and a closing section that's already very interesting, with Héry-sur-Ugine (Cat. 1), a descent to keep a close eye on and, with no respite, the summit finish at Crest-Voland (Cat. 1, 5.9 km at 7.7%).

Perhaps too early for big gaps, but anyone short of form will already pay for it at this finish. The hardest, though, will come on Saturday and Sunday.