Action is set to begin in French commune La Voulte-sur-Rhône with a 192 kilometre stage to Beauchastel.

It is one of five stages out of eight in the race that is described on the event’s website as hilly.

Racing is also due to feature a 31.9 kilometre time-trial from Montbrison to La Château de la Bâtie d'Urfé on Wednesday (June 8).

Action is then set to conclude with two mountain stages next weekend, with the first of these from Saint-Chaffrey to Vaujany, featuring two “hors categorie” climbs, the toughest in cycling, the Col du Galibier and Col de la Croix de Fer, both regular fixtures during the Tour de France.

The final stage, scheduled for Sunday (June 12), from Saint-Alban-Leysse to Plateau de Solaison, is then due to conclude with another “hors categorie” climb of the Plateau de Solaison, a climb of 11.3km with an average gradient of 9.2 per cent.

In total, 154 riders are set to take the start, representing 22 teams, and with last year’s winner Australian Richie Porte absent, there will be a new name on top of the podium at the end of the race.

Strongly fancied for victory is Slovenian rider Primož Roglič of Team Jumbo-Visma, who two years ago abandoned the race with injury with one stage remaining, when leading the general classification.

Other specialised climbers fancied to do well are Brandon McNulty of the United States, riding for UAE Team Emirates, Spain’s Enric Mas, riding for Movistar, France’s David Gaudu, of Groupama-FDJ, and Australian Ben O’Connor of AG2R Citroen.

One team to watch is Ineos Grenadiers, featuring riders including Britain’s Ethan Hayter, who is expected to go for stage wins, Italian Filippo Ganna, a time-trial specialist, and team leader Tao Geogheghan Hart of Britain, who is set to target overall victory.