Critérium du Dauphiné

Where: South-eastern France
When: Sunday 5 June - Sunday 12 June
Rank: UCI WorldTour

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

Richie Porte (Ineos Grenadiers) is the reigning champion of the eight-stage French race, beating Alexey Lutsenko (Astana) and Geraint Thomas (Ineos Grenadiers) to victory. 

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

Critérium du Dauphiné 2022 stages

The full route for the Critérium du Dauphiné 2021 hasn't been released yet, but organisers have announced that the race will feature the usual eight stages, after dropping down to five in 2020. 

Stage one is the only known part of the race so far, which will see the riders cycle from La Voulte-sur-Rhône to Beauchastel, two towns which are just four kilometres apart.

A predominantly hilly stage, the finale is flat along the wide roads as the peloton charges towards the finish at Beauchastel. 

Last year's race centred around the mountains, with the final three days focussing on the climbers. The fourth day also featured an individual time trial, offering somewhat break to the relentless eight-consecutive days race.

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.

This race has in the past been a key focus for Team Ineos (Sky): not only have the team won seven of the past ten editions - twice through Bradley Wiggins in 2011 and 2012, three times through Chris Froome in 2013, 2015 and 2016, via Geraint Thomas in 2018, and most recently through Richie Porte in 2021 - they also tend to dominate the race with imposing performances across the whole team.

Their support riders often outperform other teams’ leaders, as evidenced by the fact two Ineos riders finished in the top three of the General Classification. 

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

Critérium du Dauphiné: Recent winners

2021: Richie Porte (Aus) Ineos Grenadiers
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