Team HTC-HighRoad's final build-up for the 2011 edition of the three-week Tour de France Grand Tour gets underway this weekend at the Critérium du Dauphiné, with the Grenoble time trial as one of the team's main targets.

"Traditionally the Dauphine is a big test for the Tour de France, and this year is no exception," Team HTC-HighRoad sports director Brian Holm commented and continued "Tony Martin will be seeing what he can do in the Grenoble time trial, which is identical to the one in the Tour, so that's a great opportunity for him to get to know it."

"Both he and Frankie [Frantisek Rabon] will be good cards to play in the Dauphine prologue, too."

"More than the overall, we'll be seeing what options we've got on the day by day," Holm added.
"For example, I know John Degenkolb will be keen to see what he can do in the Dauphiné's two sprint stages."

"Kanstantsin has done a solid overall ride in the Giro d'Italia [finishing tenth], and came out well, and he can really exploit that form in the Dauphiné's mountain stages, too."

"Like Sivtsov, Danny Pate is another good option in all sorts of situations. He's a great team worker, really strong, doesn't get stressed and in a race like the Dauphiné. He could well have his own chances to shine, too."

Team HTC-Highroad roster for the Criterium du Dauphine 2011:
Tony Martin (Ger); John Degenkolb (Ger); Jan Ghyselinck (Bel); Danny Pate (USA); Frantisek Rabon (Cze); Kanstantsin Sivtsov (Byl); Gatis Smukulis (Lat).