Israel – Premier Tech is lining up at Critérium du Dauphiné with a strong team and a clear goal to hunt for stage victories.
“The Critérium du Dauphiné is always a tough race”, sports director Daryl Impey explains. “Our goals are to hunt for stages but also to test our climbing group with some GC ambitions. We aim to make our own opportunities and achieve our potential.”
“We have two previous winners in our team which is a huge asset. This is the start of a very important second block for most of the guys racing in Dauphiné and I’m keen to be in the car with such a motivated bunch of riders.”
Combined, Jakob Fuglsang (2) and Chris Froome (3) have won the race overall no less than five times. Together with Derek Gee, Hugo Houle, Krists Neilands, Mason Hollyman and previous stage winner, Dylan Teuns, they make up the IPT squad for this year’s edition.
Froome says: “I’m happy to be back at Critérium du Dauphiné. This is a race where I have experienced highs and lows in my career but it has always been a race I have really enjoyed doing. I believe we have a strong team lining up this year with several cards to play and I’m looking forward to playing my part in what will hopefully be another successful race for the team.”
Fuglsang, whose victories came in the 2017 and 2019 editions, adds: “Having won it twice, Critérium du Dauphiné is obviously a special race to me. It is a race I’ve always liked and generally performed well in. The team has had a strong first part of the season and I hope we can continue the good streak here. I’m eager to get going.”
The race starts on Sunday, June 2, with a day for the sprinters and finishes the following Sunday, June 9, with the last of three mountain top finishes in a row.
IPT at the Critérium du Dauphiné
Riders: Chris Froome (GBR), Jakob Fuglsang (DEN), Derek Gee (CAN), Mason Hollyman (GBR), Hugo Houle (CAN), Krists Neilands (LAT), Dylan Teuns (BEL)
Sports Directors: Daryl Impey (RSA), Pat McCarty (USA)
