A backstage look at the week in France through the lens of photographer Kristof Ramon
The Critérium du Dauphiné was the final Tour de France preparatory race for Richie Porte, who finished in 11th place overall after a grueling week with some very wet and cold stages.
Richie Porte warms up for the stage 4 time trial.
Richie Porte finished in 11th place for the 26km time trial.
The form of Richie is coming up and that was good to see. We knew he was not at his top, top shape and we could see this in the race and now we have three weeks to work further.
The Madones await ahead of stage 5.
Niklas Eg grabs bottles from the car in stage 5.
Stage 5 gave Richie Porte some time to recover ahead of the final mountains.
Richie will now have a small training camp and to do some recon of the Tour stages. We are confident he will be in good condition at the start of the Tour. We saw a clear progression from him from the start of Dauphiné to the end; some positive signs for sure.
Toms Skujins climbs during stage 6.
It was a wet start to the day.
The first big mountains were in stage 7, the queen stage.
A focused Edward Theuns ahead of stage 7.
The rest of the team worked hard in front of Richie. Stage 7 we wanted to have them in the break, they were there, stage 8 we wanted someone in the break, and Julien Bernard was there.
Julien Bernard was in the day's escape group with Edward Theuns and Niklas Eg in stage 7.
A tired and wet Niklas Eg at the finish of stage 7, a day with relentless climbing.
Some were struggling with the bad weather with some sickness, and like Richie, they were not at their top form, but there are still three weeks to the Tour, and we need it.
Julien Bernard in the breakaway again in stage 8.
The sun was out for the final stage as Toms Skujins drinks ahead of the start.
Koen de Kort covers an attack during stage 8.
The Émonda was the bike of choice for the final two days.
It was a hard Dauphine.
