Critérium du Dauphiné 2021 Route stage 5: Saint-Chamond - Saint-Vallier

Thursday 3 June - Stage 5 of the Critérium du Dauphiné is a hilly test of 175.4 kilometres. After four classified ascents the Côte de Montrebut is likely to play a crucial role. The 1.2 kilometres ramp at 12% is crested with 12 kilometres remaining.

From the gun the riders enter a false flat that's becoming steeper until it continues onto the Côte du Planil. This is a 3.7 kilometres climb at 6.4% that peaks out after 10 kilometres.

On undulating terrain the Dauphiné continues towards the more accidented second half of the race. A number of uphill sections stand out - Côte de Sizeranne (2.5 kilometres at 6.5%), Côte d’Hauterives (2.1 kilometres at 5.2%) and Col de Barbe Bleue (2.1 kilometres at 6.1%). So, that's not exactly Mont Ventoux-ish.

After the Barbe Bleue there are 26 kilometres remaining. Normally, this would have been perfect for the sprinters, but that's when you overlook one important factor. Côte de Montrebut, a Wall-like climb inside the last 13.5 kilometres. Fast men will surely drop back on the 1.3 kilometres climb at 12% and the question arises: are they able to regain contact in the last 12 kilometres of the race?

Or, another scenario, the teams of the sprinters believe there is no point in controlling the break anyway and we are going to see a day for the attackers.

The first three riders on the line gain time bonuses of 10, 6 and 4 seconds, while the intermediate sprint comes with 3, 2 and 1 seconds.

Another interesting read: results 5th stage 2021 Critérium du Dauphiné.