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Critérium du Dauphiné history

Now in a 77th edition, Critérium du Dau෴phiné returns with a parade of climbing stages, including a trio of summit finishes on the final three days. The eight-day WorldTour competition, June 8-15, serves as a traditional build-up for the Tour de France.

The race debuted in 1947, created by newspaper Le Dauphiné Libéré much like the Tour started as a circulation booster for l’Auto. Originally branded as the Critérium du Dauphiné Libé🤡;ré, ASO took the reins and changed the name in 2010.

Although the Dauphiné is considered a test for the Tour, only 11 riders have won both races, Bernard Hinault the first to do so in 1979 and 1981. Chris Froome won both races across 2013, 2015 and 2016. Since then, Geraint Thomas (2018) and Jonas Vingegaard (2023) have scored the double in the same year. Last year's winner Primož Roglič (Bora-Hansgrohe) pulled out of the Tour ahead of stage 13 after crashing several times.

The most victories in the Dauphiné by a singl𓂃e rider stands at three: Luis Ocana (1970, 1972, 1973), Bernard Hinault (1977, 1979, 1981), Charly Mottet (1987, 1989, 1992), and Chris Froome (2013, 2015, 2016) are all tied for the record.

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Critérium du Dauphiné route

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The 2025 Critérium du Dauphiné route covers 1201.9 kilometres with seven road stages and one time trial, this time almost half the distance of last  yeaಌr's race against the clock. The opening two stages include 14 categorised climbs, while each of the final three days include mountaintop finishes. 

A special start on stage 3 will honor✃ French veteran Romain Bardet (Team Picnic PostNL) with a sendoff in his home town of Brioude, as he makes the Critérium du Dauphiné a final road competition before retirement in the summer, going on to pursue gravel.

Read more about the 2025 Criterium du Dauphiné route.

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Critérium du Dauphiné Schedule