Rui Costa was a protagonist during most of the spring season and now, after having spent some weeks in training to prepare for the Tour de France, he’s ready to take part in the Critèrium du Dauphinè (7-14 July). Costa has won the Tour de Suisse three years in a row but this year he has decided to change his approach and he will insted fo the French race.

In the French race, he will line up alongside Rafael Valls, Matteo Bono, Sacha Modolo, Nelson Oliveira, Ruben Plaza, Filippo Pozzato and Jose Serpa.

The two opening stages of the course of the Critèrium du Dauphinè (Ugine-Albertville and Le Bourget du La-Villars les Dombes) will be suitable for sprinters beforethe teams will face a 24,5 km team time trial which precede a stage in which complete riders will have their chances (4th stage, Anneyron-Sisteron). The final four stages with summit finishes will be perfect for the climbers.

The Critèrium du Dauphinè will be an interesting appointment for Rui Costa whose big goal is the Tour de France. The same goes for Valls who’ll be back to racing after a first part of the season in which he got many satisfactions. 

Modolo will focus his attention on the first two stages. Moreover, the French race will be important to evaluate the team spirit of riders who will probably form the core of the blue-fuchsia-green selection for the Tour de France.