The Critérium du Dauphiné begins this Sunday with a mountain prologue of 3.9 km on the Mont Chéry climb in Les Guets. A motivating and difficult challenge for the Wanty-Groupe Gobert’s riders. The pro-continental team reconnoitred this Saturday the Mont Chéry.

"It is a steep climb which averages a massive 9,7% and there are sections around 20% in the last two kilometres," the Dutchman Marco Minnaard said.

Mont Chery will be a key moment in this 68th edition of the Criterium du Dauphine.

"It is essential to manage your effort but there is no time to rest on this climb. It is important to find your rhythm in the first part so as not to explode on the steepest percentage in the second part", he explains.

Marco Minnaard recently rode a convincing Tour of Norway with a seventh place in the general classification.

"I hope to continue the momentum of Norway and to show great things during this week."

Like most of the Wanty - Groupe Gobert’s riders, the Dutchman will discover the Critérium du Dauphine.

"This is an important step in my career. With the Tour de Suisse last year it is the biggest stage race in which I participate”, he concludes.