IPT set to fine-tune sprint train at Critérium du Dauphiné

With the Tour de France less than one month away, the eight-stage Critérium du Dauphiné will serve as final preparation for Pascal Ackermann and the IPT sprint train when racing gets underway on Sunday.

Ackermann will be joined by trusted lead out riders Jake Stewart, Guillaume Boivin, and Matîs Louvel. Meanwhile, Alexey Lutsenko will give the team a card to play in the General Classification, with Krists Neilands, and Nadav Raisbeg set to support both leaders.

“The Critérium du Dauphiné’s first three stages are long and hilly so the punchy riders will have the terrain to attack in the finals, but there is a big chance that they will finish in a sprint and we will target a stage win with Pascal Ackermann as we are bringing a solid sprint support to the race,” explains Sports Director René Mandri.

“The real GC game starts on stage 4 with the time trial ahead of three really hard stages in the mountains over the final three days which will decide the GC. We are aiming for the best possible result with Alexey Lutsenko, who comes in after a good block at altitude. The race is an important test for the whole team ahead of the Tour de France so we hope to come out of it with good results.”

For Ackermann, confidence is high after his win at Classique Dunkerque in May and a solid block of training with the sprint team in Mallorca.

“Critérium du Dauphiné is a really important race for us to see where we are and what to improve in the final preparation,” says Ackermann. “We are all in good shape and looking forward to see what is possible in the sprint stages. There are some good chances for me and we are motivated to come away with a win.”

Critérium du Dauphiné (8-15 June)

Rider roster: Pascal Ackermann (GER), Guillaume Boivin (CAN), Krists Neilands (LAT), Matîs Louvel (FRA), Alexey Lutsenko (KAZ), Nadav Raisberg (ISR), Jake Stewart (GBR)

Sports Directors: Rene Mandri (EST), Alex Cataford (CAN), Oscar Guerrero (ESP)