16. Critérium du Dauphiné

June 9 | The Telegraph Cycling Podcast returns after the Giro d'Italia to discuss the Critérium du Dauphiné, the stage race held in the Alps that heralds the beginning of the build-up to the Tour de France.

Alberto Contador won the prologue – a steep, four-kilometre hill climb at Les Gets – to show that he is in great form with the Tour less than a month away. Australia's Richie Porte of BMC Racing and reigning Tour champion Chris Froome of Team Sky were not far behind.

Richard Moore and Lionel Birnie are joined by Daniel Friebe, who is out at the Dauphiné, to discuss the race so far – from the prologue at Les Gets, to the Cofidis team's controversial and combative sprinting techniques, and Fabio Aru's surprise stage win.

And, with the Tour de Suisse – the other big stage race that riders use to tune up for the Tour de France – about to get underway, we talk to Graham Bartlett of Velon.

Velon has signed an agreement with the Tour de Suisse to introduce a number of measures, including improving the data available to television viewers during the race.

But what is Velon? In this first part of a two-part interview, Bartlett explains how the company – owned by 11 of the WorldTour teams – came about, what its plans are and how it will be working for the teams.

The Telegraph Cycling Podcast is supported by Eurosport and the Poppyscotland Sportive.