Etixx-Quick-Step announce Critérium du Dauphiné team

Image 1 of 8

Etixx-Quick-Step have announced a balanced eight-rider team for the Critérium du Dauphiné with the aim of making its mark on all eight stages. Former time trial world champion Tony Martin has previously won two stages against the clock at the Tour de France dress rehearsal but with a team time trial featuring in the race for the first time since 1980, he look to drive to the squad's quest for victory. Julian Alaphilippe returns to racing after finishing second overall at the Tour of California, where he also won the queen stage to Mount Baldy, and will be looking to transfer his American form to the French climbs.

Maxime Bouet and David de la Cruz back up at the Dauphiné after riding the Giro d'Italia while Pieter Serry, a victim of the stage 2 crash, has recovered from strained shoulder ligaments and take his place in the team

"Dauphiné is a balanced race," sport director Brian Holm said. "There are short stages with the right mix of high mountain stages, stages for sprinters, and even a TTT that comes back after many years. So, it's always a nice race, as it was last year with a spectacular final stage. We go there with a good and motivated team, with the objective to try and do well in any of the race situations."

Niki Terpstra and Stijn Vandenbergh are also included in the team with the duo to help the team time trial aspirations and look for own opportunities on the medium mountain stages.

Etixx-Quick Step for the Critérium du Dauphiné: Julian Alaphilippe (Fra), Maxime Bouet (Fra), David De La Cruz (Esp), Tony Martin (Ger), Pieter Serry (Bel), Niki Terpstra (Ned), Stijn Vandenbergh (Bel) and Martin Velits (Svk).