The week-long stage race, which is part of the International Cycling Union (UCI) World Tour and is 1,147 kilometres in length, is traditionally viewed as one of the key warm-up events for the second Grand Tour of the season.

Froome will head in looking to earn a third title in four years, having triumphed in 2013 and last year, with both victories preceding his two successes at the Tour de France.

The Team Sky rider will expect to be challenged by Spain’s Alberto Contador and his former team-mate Richie Porte, with the Australian having joined BMC Racing at the start of 2016.

“My number one goal for the Dauphiné is to complete the race in good condition in order to get ready for the Tour de France,” Contador told the Criterium du Dauphiné website.

“I'm here to test my legs.

“I'm not thinking of the overall classification until circumstances eventually dictate it.”

Italy’s Fabio Aru, winner of last year’s Vuelta a España, could emerged as a contender for the general classification, along with France’s Thibaut Pinot and Romain Bardet.

Orica-GreenEDGE have already expressed their intention to race for stage wins throughout the week, with the Australian registered team missing Britain’s Simon Yates, who was a fifth place finish in 2015.

The team had initially hope to include Yates in their squad for the race, with the rider having been yet to compete since failing an in-competition drug test after a stage of the Paris-Nice.

A Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUE) was required in order to use the substance, which was claimed to have been used as ongoing treatment to combat Yates’ asthma problems, with the team having blamed an “administrative error” for the positive test.

With a decision still pending regarding his case, Orica-GreenEDGE stated that the Briton would no longer ride.

The 68th edition of the race is due to begin with a short 3.9 kilometre uphill time trial in Les Gets.