A taste of the Tour
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ByEurosport
Published 10/06/2006 at 11:54 GMT
Nearly identical to the 16th stage of the Tour de France, Saturday's trip through the Galbier should determine this year's Dauphiné Libéré victor. With a monsterous day of climbing ahead, Levi Leipheimer holds on to a slim 28 second lead over Vuelta a Esp
CYCLING Criterium du Dauphine Libere Galibier
Image credit: Imago
Menchov and Leipheimer face two HC climbs and then an uphill Cat. 1 finish at La Toussuire, travelling from the Hautes-Alps to Savoie and facing the same test that awaits them four days before their Tour arrival on the Champs-Elysées.
First test: the 42-km long Galibier with a 4,5% average gradient throughout, and a 6,7% gradient along 8-km of riding.
Next the le Col de la Croix de Fer (22 km at 7%), then the insanity continues with the Mollard (5,8 km at 7%), and ultimately the uphill finish-line at La Toussuire (18 km at 6%).
With former winner Alexandre Vinokourov describing this as a crucial test for his Tour de France bid, Vino could also try and steal a stage despite his untenable position in the overall classifications.
Whoever comes out of Saturday's stage on top, two truths will almost certainly come to light; one, who is in shape for July, and two, who will claim the 58th Dauphiné Libéré.
Follow LIVE coverage of the Dauphiné up until Sunday's final stage ending in Grenoble.
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