Five things we learned from the 2020 Critérium du Dauphiné
Breathless racing builds the appetite for Tour de France
Critérium du Dauphiné
Where: France
When: August 12-16 2020
Rank: UCI WorldTour
Photo : Yuzuru SUNADA
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.
Jakob Fuglsang (Astana) won the general classification in 2019, taking the mantle from 2018 winner Geraint Thomas.
Critérium du Dauphiné 2020 stages
The full route for the Critérium du Dauphiné 2020 can be found here.
| Stage one, Sunday August 12 | Saint-Germain-au-Mont-d’Or to Saint-Christo-en-Jerez | 181km |
| Stage two, Monday August 13 | Vienne to Col de Porte | 132.5km |
| Stage three, Tuesday August 14 | Corenc to Saint-Martin-de-Belleville | 156.5km |
| Stage four, Wednesday August 15 | Ugine – Megève | 156.5km |
| Stage five, Thursday August 16 | Megève to Megève | 153 |
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.
But in 2020 the race has a different look, every single day sees a summit finish with no sprint days or time trials in sight. It has also been shortened to just five days to fit into the new post-pandemic calendar.
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
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
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'Before yesterday I would have said we were favourites for the Tour,' says Tom Dumoulin
The Dutchman says he is feeling as good as he did when he finished runner-up at the 2018 Tour de France
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'The Tour is one of my objectives but I'm staying calm,' says Martínez after Dauphiné win
The Colombian says he'll keep his feet on the ground despite overhauling Thibaut Pinot to win the French stage race
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Dani Martínez wins the Critérium du Dauphiné 2020
Jumbo-Visma’s Sepp Kuss won the final stage
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Jumbo-Visma hope crash won't disrupt Roglič's Tour preparation as they wait for Kruijswijk news
The team will wait to see how Kruijswijk recovers from his injuries before making a decision on Tour inclusion
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Froome and Thomas have not been good enough at the Dauphiné, says Ineos DS
Gabriel Rasch says the two former Tour de France winners need to step up but that this period of intense racing will have helped ahead of the Grand Départ in Nice
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'It's a disgrace that descent was in a race' says Tom Dumoulin after Kruijswijk crashes out of Dauphiné
The Dutchman didn't mince his words on a difficult day for Jumbo-Visma where Primož Roglič also crashed
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Lennard Kämna takes his first career win as Primož Roglič stays in yellow after stage four of Critérium du Dauphiné 2020
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Steven Kruijswijk and Emanuel Buchmann crash out of Critérium du Dauphiné
Three of the top four in last year's Tour de France have now abandoned the 2020 Dauphiné
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Egan Bernal abandons Critérium du Dauphiné 2020
The 2019 Tour de France winner had dropped to seventh overall and lost the white jersey on stage three before failing to start stage four
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Tom Dumoulin says Primož Roglič is Jumbo-Visma's leader and Egan Bernal is leader at Ineos
In just one sentence the Dutchman dispenses with both squad's three-pronged tactic
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'It's still a long way until the third week of the Tour,' says Ineos' Pavel Sivakov
People have been quick to dismiss Ineos who have struggled at the Dauphiné as Jumbo-Visma have soared, but Sivakov warns the Tour podium in Paris is still a long way off
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Primož Roglič extends overall lead as Davide Formolo takes stunning solo win on stage three of the Critérium du Dauphiné 2020
Primož Roglič extends overall lead as Davide Formolo takes stunning solo win on stage three of the Critérium du Dauphiné 2020
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‘It’s the weirdest feeling because I don’t have a scratch on me’: Dan Martin forced to retire from Critérium du Dauphiné after crash
Dan Martin is hoping to recover in time for the Tour de France after he was forced to abandon the Critérium du Dauphiné after a crash.
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'I keep an eye on Egan Bernal,' says Primož Roglič as Jumbo-Visma find winning formula
The Slovenian added another Jumbo-Visma win to their post-lockdown tally as he jumps into the overall lead at the Critérium du Dauphiné
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Chris Froome 'feeling better and better' as he does 'all he can' to make case for Tour inclusion
Froome will look to ride himself into the Ineos Tour team based off what he does at the Critérium du Dauphiné this week
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Primož Roglič stamps his authority as he takes stage two of the Critérium du Dauphiné 2020
The Slovenian champion capitalised on Ineos' tactical mistake
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Critérium du Dauphiné 2020 route: Five days of summit finishes in pre-Tour de France race
The last time the precursor to the Tour de France didn't include a time trial was 1947
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Strava stats from Wout van Aert, Chris Froome and Tadej Pogačar reveal how tough day one of Critérium du Dauphiné was
Wout van Aert continued his comeback on the opening stage of the Critérium du Dauphiné, taking a seemingly effortless uphill sprint victory against some of the biggest names in the sport.
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How to watch the Critérium du Dauphiné 2020 – where to live stream the major French stage race
The Critérium du Dauphiné is here after all the uncertainty and delays – find out how to live stream the 2020 edition here.
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Egan Bernal wants to see Chris Froome in the 2020 Tour de France
Egan Bernal said he wants to see Chris Froome riding alongside him at the 2020 Tour de France.
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Wout van Aert wins uphill bunch sprint in stage one of Critérium du Dauphiné 2020
The Belgian adds to his wins at Strade Bianche and Milan-San Remo
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Five things to look out for at the Critérium du Dauphiné 2020
A big week of climbing on the cards for riders at this year's Critérium du Dauphiné
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This is the Team Ineos squad for the Critérium du Dauphiné 2020
Team Ineos have just one more opportunity to stretch their legs ahead of the 2020 Tour de France, as the Critérium du Dauphiné gets started this week.
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Check out the Jumbo-Visma squad that will challenge Team Ineos at the Critérium du Dauphiné 2020
After taking the fight to Team Ineos in France last week, Jumbo-Visma will be hoping to repeat the success at the Critérium du Dauphiné 2020.
