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The 2013 Dauphiné was all about Chris Froome and Sky, a good predictor of the Tour de France
(Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
The fans get their banners ready
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The podium in the Dauphiné can closely resemble that of the Tour de France
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The cows don't need any practice
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Team Sky has dominated the Dauphiné in recent years
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Andy Schleck has never had luck in the Dauphiné
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Nairo Quintana demonstrated his talents in 2012
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Young riders like Arthur Vichot (FDJ) can shine in the breakaways
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The time trial is often a critical stage in the Dauphiné
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Bradley Wiggins won in 2012, before sideburns
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Weather can be very good, or very bad in the Dauphiné
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Sometimes relative unknowns like David Veilleux (Europcar) get a chance to shine
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Sprinters can count on the race for a few stages to perfect their lead-outs
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Samuel Sanchez scored Euskaltel's final WorldTour victory in the 2013 Dauphiné
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of the Stage Four stand on the podium.
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Thomas Voeckler (Europcar) features as prominently in the Dauphiné as in the Tour
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Garmin Sharp gets practice riding for a race leader, with Rohan Dennis in yellow
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Chris Froome practices his victory salute in the 2013 Dauphiné
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Photographers also warm up for the Tour by shooting in the Dauphiné
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Team Sky works on its well-drilled plan in 2013
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Edvald Boasson Hagen gives a lopsided victory salute in 2013
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The time keepers get a workout in the 2013 Dauphiné
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Bernard Hinault also greets riders on the podium in the Dauphiné
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The cone distributors do a meticulous job
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The 2011 podium topped by Bradley Wiggins, with Alexander Vinokourov and Cadel Evans
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Cadel Evans lost the lead in 2009 on the Mont Ventoux
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Alejandro Valverde celebrates behind stage winner Sylvester Szmyd
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Valverde won in 2009 ahead of Levi Leipheimer and Cadel Evans
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The 2007 podium: Cadel Evans, Christophe Moreau and Alexander Vinokourov
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Vinokourov in 2007, winning in the green jersey
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Christophe Moreau, Levi Leipheimer and Bernhard Kohl on the podium in 2006
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Santiago Botero, Inigo Landaluze and Levi Leipheimer on the final podium in 2005
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George Hincapie won a stage in 2005
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Michael Rasmussen in the lead in 2004
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The colors of the peloton up against a glacier in 2009
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The jersies in 2009
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It was a hot race in 2009: David Millar cools off
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The high mountains select the best
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Team Sky boss David Brailsford has masterminded the past three Dauphiné wins
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Who's this? None other than current world champion Rui Costa winning the young riders jersey in 2011
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BS: Before sideburns Bradley Wiggins in 2011
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British champion Bradley Wiggins in 2011
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John Degenkolb predicted his current level of success in 2011
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Zip up! Jurgen Van Den Broeck in 2011
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Bang! Alberto Contador fires off his bullets in 2010
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Alberto Contador, Alejandro Valverde and Cadel Evans made up the podium in 2009
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Lance Armstrong at the Dauphine in 2004
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The Critérium du Dauphiné , or Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré as it was known before its former newspaper title sponsor handed over the reins to Tour de France organiser ASO in 2010, has traditionally been one of two important proving grounds for Tour contenders, together with the Tour de Suisse.
Since the ASO's takeover, the race has begun to more closely resemble the Tour, with similar jerseys, podium presenters, sponsor paraphernalia and players.
Although the Dauphiné is an important Tour warm-up, there have only been 10 riders in the 65 editions of the race to win both races in the same year - two of the double wins happened in the last two editions, when Team Sky dominated first with Bradley Wiggins in 2012 and then with Chris Froome last year.
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Will 2014 be another year for the Tour-Dauphiné double? What will this year's race tell us about July? Thumb through this gallery of images from the past ten years by photographer Tim De Waele, and be sure to post your feedback in the comments below.
