Yesterday Alessandro De Marchi (Cannondale) took the mountains jersey in the Criterium du Dauphiné and today he enjoyed his first day in the polka-dot tunic. Describing his position as a small dream, he knows that he is under a lot of pressure to honour the jersey in a country that has a passion for great climbers.

Alessandro De Marchi has a special feeling for the Criterium du Dauphiné. One year ago he won a big mountain stage in his debut at the race and this year he is back in the spotlight.

Having been in the break on stage 2, De Marchi had scored a lot of points for the KOM competition so when he found himself in another break in yesterday's evry hilly stage, he decided to make the mountains jersey a goal. He scored enough point to take a comfortable lead in the competition and after defending his position in today's flat stage, he goes into the mountainous weekend with the coveted jersey on his shoulder.

Being no pure climber, De Marchi knows that it will be hard to defend his position but he will do his utmost to honour the jersey.

“It's a small dream for me to wear the polka dot jersey," he said. "It has never happened to me before. But it's a heavy task to have it on my shoulders. I know what it means for French people.

"I was delighted to go on stage to get it yesterday but I was also surprised. I was mainly looking for a stage win but I didn't have my best legs so I focused on the KOM competition first. I'll do my best this week-end but I really don't know what can happen to me in the mountains.”