Team Sky's Chris Froome feels he is ready for the Criterium du Dauphine which starts on Sunday.
Speaking to his team's website, Froome said: “I’m feeling really good. "I came off a good block of training up in Tenerife with the guys and I’ve had about a week at home now. It’s been nice to sleep in my own bed for a little while.
“Having said that, I’m starting to feel ready, I feel like the form is definitely on its way up and everything is heading in the right direction for the Dauphine."
Seen as more than a warm up for the Tour De France and a race won twice by Sir Bradley Wiggins, Froome said about the race which starts in Champery with a 121km stage, “It could be seen as a mini Tour de France as all the contenders and most of the big names will be there. Everyone should also be in pretty good shape this close out from the Tour. And to go with that we’ve also got a really tough route with some really challenging mountain-top finishes, as well as a time trial. It’s eight days of racing but it’s definitely going to be a good test for the Tour that’s for sure.”
Stage 1: Sunday 2 June – Champery to Champery, 121km - TV coverage: Highlights on Eurosport 2 from 2230.
Stage 2: Monday 3 June – Chatel to Oyonnax, 191km - TV coverage: Live on Eurosport 2 between 1200-1400.
Stage 3: Tuesday 4 June – Amberieu-en-Bugey to Tarare, 167km -
TV coverage: Highlights on Eurosport 2 from 1830.
Stage 4: Wednesday 5 June – Villars-les-Dombes to Parc des Oiseaux, 32.5km individual time trial - TV coverage: Highlights on Eurosport 2 from 1830.
Stage 5: Thursday 6 June – Gresy-sur-Aix to Valmorel, 139km. TV coverage: Live on Eurosport 2 between 1200-1400.
Stage 6: Friday, June 7 – La Lechere to Grenoble, 143km - TV coverage: Live on Eurosport 2 between 1200-1400.
Stage 7: Saturday 8 June – Le Pont-de-Claix to Superdevoluy, 187.5km - TV coverage: Live on Eurosport 2 between 1200-1400.
Stage 8: Sunday 9 June – Sisteron to Risoul, 155.5km - TV coverage: Highlights on Eurosport from 1715.