PREVIEW | STAGE 3 CRITÉRIUM DU DAUPHINÉ 2023 - WILL THE SPRINTERS FINALLY BE ABLE TO IN THEIR LAST CHANCE?
                      
PREVIEW | STAGE 3 CRITÉRIUM DU DAUPHINÉ 2023 - WILL THE SPRINTERS FINALLY BE ABLE 
TO IN THEIR LAST CHANCE? 
 
 
 
Stage 3 is the one where the sprinters have their best chances. Over 194 kilometres, the riders 
will have an undulating stage, but it is more likely to end in a mass sprint. However, that will not 
be a certainty, the first kilometers are uphill, and the first half of the stage is quite bumpy. 
However, from there things are easier to control. 
 
Estimated time of departure and arrival of the Criterium du Dauphiné, 3rd stage: 12:10-16:25 
CET 
The clear obstacle that the runners will have in their sights is the Côte de Neulise, 7.8 
kilometers at 3%. It's not a hard climb, but it does get a little steeper towards the top, and with 
the finish just 18.5km from the finish it may give some riders or teams ideas. 
 
A short descent follows before a flat entry into Le Coteau. It will be a tense and fast sprint, with 
noteworthy curves with 2.1, 1.1 and 800 meters to go. From there it's a full throw towards the 
center of town, where there will be no chance to surprise the fast men. 
THE FAVORITES 
 
Sam Bennett - Bennett finished just outside the Top 10 today, a good sign for the Irishman. 
None of the stages played so far suited his current form, but he doesn't look bad. With Danny 
van Poppel in the lead, he surely will have a good chance to go for the win, and reasonably 
speaking this is his only chance; 
 
Dylan Groenewegen - Groenewegen is a bit on the same page, but he's always been a pure 
sprinter. It's really hard for me to understand why Jayco brought him to this race, tomorrow is 
the only chance he has to fight for victory, but even with a small group he will have a great 
challenge. Despite everything, the Dutchman has speed, but without Mezgec in the race it will 
be difficult for him to pass his rivals; 
 
Christophe Laporte - Winner of stage 1, today he failed in the timed sprint. This day will be 
more for the pure fast men and not so much for Laporte, but he has the speed and a yellow 
jersey to preserve, so he will surely make the effort to fight for a good result; 
 
Ethan Vernon - Vernon is still a rookie sprinter among the greats, but he has the legs to win on 
a day like this. Quick-Step don't have a luxury advantage here, but they have some great 
engines that can make sure they're at the front towards the end, and in the final sprint it will 
depend on their own instincts, it could be the day they give a big step. 
 
A sprint is the most likely outcome for this day. It is likely that runners of the stature of Lionel 
Taminiaux , Jon Aberasturi and Madis Mihkels will participate in the finale , who will try to take 
advantage of this day, the most favorable for pure sprinters;