Critérium du Dauphiné

Where: France
When: May 30 to June 6 2021
Rank: UCI WorldTour

The Critérium du Dauphiné marks the traditional run-in to the Tour de France, and so all eyes are on how the top contenders ride.

Daniel Martínez (then EF Pro Cycling) won the general classification in 2020, Jakob Fuglsang (Astana) took victory in 2019, taking the mantle from 2018 winner Geraint Thomas.

Critérium du Dauphiné 2021 stages

The full route for the Critérium du Dauphiné 2021 has been released with the race going back up to eight days after only being five in 2020.

Usually, this race is centred around the mountains and it is no different in this year's edition with the final three days being all about the climbers.

A few lumpy days with maybe one or two being possible sprint stages as well as a 16.4km individual time trial.

About the Critérium du Dauphiné

Usually lasting for eight days, the Critérium du Dauphiné is a sort of compressed version of the Tour, with a variation of Alpine mountains, time-trials, flat and hilly stages held across France’s terrain that resembles what awaits the riders come July.

Last year's edition of the race was cut down to just five days with every single stage finishing with a summit finish. But in 2021 the race returns to its usual layout in the southeast of France.

This race has in the past been a key focus for Team Ineos (Sky): not only have the team won six of the past nine editions (twice through Bradley Wiggins in 2011 and 2012 and three times through Chris Froome in 2013, 2015 and 2016 and via Geraint Thomas in 2018), they also tend to dominate the race with imposing performances across the whole team, with their supporting riders often outperforming other teams’ leaders.

Key info: Critérium du Dauphiné live TV guide | Start list | Seven things to look out for

Critérium du Dauphiné: Recent winners

2020: Daniel Martínez (Col) EF Pro Cycling
2019 Jakob Fuglsang (Den) Astana
2018 Geraint Thomas (GBr) Team Sky
2017 Jakob Fuglsang (Den) Astana
2016 Chris Froome (GBr) Team Sky
2015 Chris Froome (GBr) Team Sky
2014 Andrew Talansky (USA) Garmin-Sharp
2013 Chris Froome (GBr) Team Sky
2012 Bradley Wiggins (GBr) Team Sky
2011 Bradley Wiggins (GBr) Team Sky
2010 Janez Brajkovic (Slo) RadioShack
2009 Alejandro Valverde (Esp) Caisse d’Epargne
2008 Alejandro Valverde (Esp) Caisse d’Epargne
2007 Christophe Moreau (Fra) Ag2r Prevoyance