Val-d’Arc > Plates du Mont-Cenis 134km Final stage of the Dauphiné. After another display of strength today, Tadej Pogačar looks secure in yellow, we’ll have to wait and see if he wants to go for another stage win. He’s now on 98 pro wins, the GC will take him to 99, does he want the stage to get to 100? What an achievement considering he’s only 26.

Küssnacht > Küssnacht 129km I’m a happy boy, the organisers have decided to start the race with a proper stage and not a crappy TT. Last time they did this it was 2022 and Stevie Williams won a reduced sprint. Looking at this stage, something similar could well happen. This is the shortest stage of the race, just 129km in length, and it should encourage attacking riding.

We are currently in the midst of an action-packed Dauphiné, where the best 3 GC riders in the world are going head-to-head, which means they won’t be going for the Tour de Suisse. This opens the door for someone else to win this race, possibly a rider who won’t be team leader in the Tour de France. Last year, UAE dominated, and Adam Yates took the win with João Almeida finishing 2nd, the Portuguese star is back this year and starts as the favourite to take home the crown.

Grand-Algueblanche > Valmeinier 1800 133km What a day, over 4800m of climbing in just 133km of racing, this is right up there in terms of difficulty. Pogačar has now reminded everyone that he’s the daddy, putting 1:01 into Vingegaard, who he now leads by 43s on GC. Such a blow was very impressive to watch, I think I’m not the only one wondering if the Tour de France could be quite boring. I’ll try not to get negative; this is a great stage and hopefully Visma can strike back.

Valserhône > Combloux 127km The weekend stages of the Dauphiné resemble a 3-course meal, we’ve got a starter, main and dessert to look forward to. With Pogačar inexplicably shipping time in the TT, he’s got ground to make up. For the first time in 2 years, he’s got some questions to answer, it’s been a while since he’s been in such a position. I’m looking forward to seeing how he responds, he normally knows one way.

Saint-Priest > Mâcon 183km Last chance for the sprinters before a weekend of unbridled climbing joy.

Charmes-sur-Rhône > Saint-Péray 17.4km ITT Well then, the peloton has handed Florian Lipowitz 54s, which is bad news for everyone apart from the big 3, it’s not going to be an issue for them at the weekend. Iván Romeo is now in the yellow jersey, and as the current under 23 TT world champion, he’ll be confident of still being in it at the end of this stage. This TT is a hard one, and with the Tour de France fast approaching, it’s a great chance to see Pogačar, Vingegaard and Evenepoel going head-to-head. The Tour has two ITTs this...

Brioude > Charantonnay 207km Milan took his expected win, but he had to work hard for it. The sprint was a bit of a walkover, the hard work was put in on the climbs earlier in the stage. Lidl – Trek did a great job of protecting Milan and helping him survive, before delivering a deadly lead out. The big man is now in the yellow jersey, he’d love to fight for another stage win, but stage 3 looks a hard one to me.

Prémilhat > Issoire 205km Day 2 looks like being a big, bunch sprint. It’s a long stage, 205km isn’t to be sniffed at and they also have to cover almost 3000m of climbing. It’s certainly not an easy day in the saddle, but the placement of the climbs should help the sprint teams to control and ensure a sprint finish.

Domérat > Montluçon 195km The opening stage of the Dauphiné looks a good one to me. Sprinters will dream of fighting for the first yellow jersey, but puncheurs will be licking their lips at the thought of the final climb. It’s not only puncheurs who’ll like the look of it, Pogačar will also see a hill that suits his characteristics.