Ready for the Tour de France 2024? The Critérium du Dauphiné is the perfect appetizer, with everything to feast on: top riders, mountainous courses, and the iconic yellow jersey.

The 2024 Critérium du Dauphiné runs this Sunday, June 2nd, to next Sunday, June 9th, all in the southeast of France. There will be a time trial, summit finishes, and yes: a Remco Evenepoel head-to-head with Primoz Roglic.

The Critérium du Dauphiné 2024 Route

The race starts with what could be a sprinters' stage but don't be fooled, this WorldTour stage race is all about the climbers. We also have a time trial in stage four. However, more than half, five of the eight stages, are summit finishes! It starts with the Col de la Loge on Monday, and leads to an Alpine battle royale on the Plateau des Glières. Even the "easy" stages 1 and 5 are challenging and could produce classification battles.

The Critérium du Dauphiné 2024 Favorites

The favorities for the 2024 Critérium du Dauphiné are not clear. Remember, this is the first time back to competition for both Primoz Roglic (Bora-Hansgrohe) and Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-Quick Step) in two months, since they were part of a mega-crash in the Basque country on April 4th. Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) was also in that incident, still not confirming when he will return to competition, though there is some speculation he could be a last-minute addition to the Critérium du Dauphiné.

Roglic and Evenepoel are bringing their Tour de France hit squads for this final test. Roglic will have Aleksandr Vlasov and Jai Hindley, Evenepoel with Mikel Landa and Ilan Van Wilder.

What about the others? Remember, Matteo Jorgenson (Visma-Lease a Bike) beat Evenepoel to win Paris-Nice. He'll be there with fellow American and Vuelta a España champion Sepp Kuss. Carlos Rodriguez, winner of the Tour de Romandie, leads INEOS Grenadiers, and Juan Ayuso heads the UAE Emirates formation, with star teammate Tadej Pogacar resting ahead of the Tour de France.

How To Watch The Critérium du Dauphiné 2024?

The Critérium du Dauphiné will be live and on demand for FloBikes viewers in Canada. And for everyone worldwide, we have highlights, interviews, and comprehensive race coverage. I'll be there on the ground for every stage to talk with the stars.

The Critérium du Dauphiné could be called the Vuelta a España 2022 rematch – Roglic versus Evenepoel – however, times have changed. The two stars will be fighting back from the depths of injury, joining a chorus of cycling elite tuning themselves ahead for the big one in one month, the Tour de France.