Stage one of the Critérium du Dauphiné is a bit of a scrum. If you’re a Cyclingnews subscriber you’ve doubtless already seen all the new stuff from the Dauphine mega tech gallery, where I spotted two brand new bikes (a new BMC and a new Ridley), some new handlebars, some custom paint jobs, and plenty more besides. The paddock at the very start of the race is hectic, awash with other journalists wanting to grab a scoop, and fans keen to see their favourite riders. As a result, one can’t always spot everything on the first pass.
I stuck around for stage two, too, just in case I missed anything, so consider this a bonus feature to the main gallery. There’s some new tech for sure that I didn’t spot on stage one, but there are also some more candid shots that should give you a feel for what it’s like to be at the race yourself, except without the burden of a very sweaty back from carrying a camera bag all day in the heat.
The paddock is just an adopted street, but it becomes a real hive of activity once all the busses rock up
I was informed that Jonas Vingegaard rode this 1x setup on stage one, the only rider on the team to do so. He was back on 2x for stage 2 though, perhaps feeling out the ideal setup ahead of the Tour de France
A 50T chainring combined with a Wolftooth chain catcher with a custom 3D printed head on it that doesn’t enclose the outer face of the chain
A very bling carbon pulley cage from Nova Ride was spotted on Gillaume Martin’s bike. The wear markings on the upper jockey wheel suggest clearance may be tight!
The brand new prototype BMC is going to turn heads at the start of every stage that’s for sure
Rob Stannard had some scuffing on the side of his tyres… nothing a bit of Sharpie won’t fix!
Despite switching to HED wheels, some riders are still on Corima wheels. Here the unusual MCC DX model, with 12 thick carbon spokes
Not a set of wheels you can true with a spoke key, that’s for sure
Notes of when and how much sealant has been added to a set of tyres is a real belt and braces touch from the mechanics at Intermarche-Circus-Wanty
Unlike the rest of the team, Sam Bennett uses 11sp rings as he can get them in larger sizes
He’s also a rider who just wants to be told when to eat and drink
The mechanics at Bora-Hansgrohe informed me that Bennett had two stars on his wheels because “One star for a star, two for a superstar”. No other rider had any stars.
Other riders did get the team-issue custom computer mount from K-Edge though. Bennett did not, as he’s using a set of unreleased Specialized handlebars which look to feature a proprietary mount
A little strip of inner tube keeps the Di2 cable from snagging on anything in the event of a crash. This is a very common mod, but sometimes a zip tie is also used
What do you do when your power meter runs out of power?
Each Ineos Grenadiers bike was sporting custom 3D-printed blocks under the drive side chainstay
The mechanics told me it was for ‘frame protection’, though I suspect that ‘chain retention’ was more of a priority
No sporting event would be complete without a merch stand
I think we may need to update our guide to the best electric bike conversion kits…
If you can’t bring your dog along then it’s not worth bothering with
Estaban Chaves’ disguise wasn’t enough to stop some fans recognising him, and asking for photos
Bernal begins warming up for his first proper test in a while
At the start line, fans try and get the best spot for the ‘gram
Despite the intensity of racing to come, the start grid had a very relaxed atmosphere, with many riders just enjoying a chat
Bleu steel from the eventual stage winner, Julian Alaphilippe
Reckon you’ve got enough gels there, lad? I suppose it means a few trips fewer back to the team car
Dylan Groenewegen did look a little nervy ahead of a stage with a flat finish
Absolute focus, just before the race gets underway
A lull in proceedings at the finishing town gives fans a chance to look at a team car in the flesh
Fortunately the rain and thunder held off until after the stage finish
Good boys only at the finish line
Some spectators were happy to stand and watch an empty street for some time to ensure they had the best spot
More seasoned veterans come prepared with a camp chair and a copy of l’Equipe
You can bet he’s constantly refreshing our live race report so he knows exactly when to do some camerawork
Bike racing in France is brilliant, because you can watch the best athletes in the world compete AND buy dried local mushrooms all in one place
Sadly I never got to hear this chap play. I presume, like me, he does a mean rendition of Frére Jacques
A little out of proportion, but clearly an effective encouragement for the superstar of French cycling
Alaphilippe pips Richard Carapaz at the finish line
After the main bunch, the backmarkers trickle in
The commissaires car signals the end of the main protagonists
Anyone behind tended to look a lot more out of puff
