The big names of the world peloton will converge on the Critérium du Dauphiné from June 2 to 9 to fight for the 65th edition of the race. As the pressure mounts in the run-up to the Tour de France, each and every one of them will come under the spotlight, not least top favourite Chris Froome.

The Swiss town of Champéry will get the ball rolling in what will be the Dauphiné's first start abroad, but this is just one of many things that will make the 65th edition special. With the Tour de France just around the corner, this week-long Alpine battle is usually a roll call for the favourites. Despite the 100th Tour looming on the horizon, this time will be no different. What has changed a lot since the 2012 Dauphiné are the roles played by the different riders. Back then, Chris Froome flew under the radar as he worked his socks off to help Wiggins. In doing his duty, the pretender to the throne was as effective as he was loyal (fourth in the Dauphiné and second in the Tour), but he now seems to be a cut above last year. 

While the issue of his place in the Sky pecking order is a thorny one, his progression on the road is undeniable: in the four stage races in which he has taken part this year, only one rider has managed to defeat Froome, none other than Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) in Tirreno–Adriatico. With victories in the Tour of Oman, Critérium International and Tour de Romandie under his belt, the gentle giant of the 2013 season is now aiming for a poker of wins. Nothing to be sneezed at. With Paris–Nice champion Richie Porte and recent Tour of Norway winner Edvald Boasson Hagen at his command, together with Kiryienka and López García, Froome has got the men for the job. However, plenty of riders will strive to thwart his best-laid plans before the race comes to an end in Risoul. Alberto Contador will try to take his first Dauphiné crown, just like Jürgen Van den Broeck, Joaquím Rodríguez and the promising Andrew Talansky and Pierre Rolland. Former winners Alejandro Valverde and Janez Brajkovi� will also fight to write a new chapter in the history of the race.

Main contenders (as of May 23):

Sky ProCycling: Froome (GBR), Porte (AUS) and Boasson Hagen (NOR); Team Saxo-Tinkoff :Contador (ESP) and Rogers (AUS); Lotto-Belisol: Van den Broeck and J. Vanendert (BEL); Astana Pro Team: Brajkovi� (SLO), Fuglsang (DEN) and Seeldrayers (BEL); BMC Racing Team: Hushovd(NOR) and Moinard (FRA); Blanco Pro Cycling Team: Gárate (ESP) and Bobridge (AUS);RadioShack – Leopard: Gallopin (FRA) and Zubeldia (ESP); ORICA GreenEDGE: Gerrans and Sulzberger (AUS); Katusha Team: Rodríguez and Moreno (ESP); Cofidis, Solutions Crédits:Coppel, Le Mével (FRA) and Taaramäe (EST); Euskaltel-Euskadi: S. Sánchez (ESP) and Sicard(FRA); Garmin-Sharp: Talansky (USA); Lampre-Merida: Cunego (ITA) and Richeze (ARG); FDJ:Bouhanni, Fédrigo and Vichot (FRA); Team Europcar: Rolland, Voeckler and Kern (FRA); Omega Pharma–Quick Step: Chavanel (FRA), Kwiatkowski (POL) and Martin (GER); Cannondale: Caruso (ITA), Koren (SLO) and Paterski (POL); Movistar Team: Valverde (ESP) and Szmyd (POL);Vacansoleil-DCM: De Gendt (BEL), Flecha (ESP) and Westra (NED) Team Argos-Shimano: Barguiland Huguet (FRA); Bretagne-Séché Environnement: Dion and Lequatre (FRA); Team Netapp-Endura: König (CZE)