The Criterium du Dauphine is one of the most significant races on the WorldTour calendar. Positioned just weeks before the Tour de France, it offers a realistic preview of who holds form heading into July. The route typically features high mountains, a time trial, and challenging transitional stages that mimic what riders will face a month later.
In 2026, the event underwent a major name change. After nearly eight decades of being known as the Criterium du Dauphine, the organizers rebranded it to the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. This change reflects the financial and logistical support of the broader host regions in central and southeastern France. Despite the new name, its role in the professional peloton remains identical.
The History Behind the Race
Understanding the history of the Criterium du Dauphine explains its route choices and its prestige within the sport.
Origins and Evolution
The race was first organized in 1947 by the regional French newspaper, Le Dauphiné Libéré. The word "Dauphiné" refers to the historical province in southeastern France. While modern cyclists associate the word "criterium" with short, closed-circuit racing, it was traditionally used in France to denote a general sporting competition.
For decades, the newspaper shared organizational duties with the Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO). In 2010, ASO assumed full control of the event, dropping "Libéré" from the title. The 2026 rebrand marks the third major evolution of its identity.
Notable Records
Looking at the historical race records provides a clear picture of the race's difficulty. It favors pure climbers and strong time-trialists.
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Most overall wins: Chris Froome, Bernard Hinault, Charly Mottet, Luis Ocaña, and Nello Lauredi all hold the record with three GC victories each.
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Most stage wins: Bernard Hinault secured 10 stage wins during his career.
2026 Route and Key Stages
The 2026 Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes consists of eight stages running from June 7 to June 14, covering a total distance of 1,204.3 kilometers. The route is heavily weighted towards the final weekend, as is customary for this event.
Key stages for the official 2026 race route include:
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Stage 3 (June 9): A 28.4 km Team Time Trial in Perreux. This requires well-drilled formations and will establish the early GC hierarchy.
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Stage 7 (June 12): A mountain stage ending on the Grand Colombier.
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Stage 8 (June 14): The final mountain test concluding at Plateau de Solaison.
Riders use these mountain profiles to test their climbing legs and pacing strategies. The inclusion of the Grand Colombier provides an exact simulation of the gradients they will face in the Tour de France.
Credits: ineosgrenadiers.com
Why This Race Matters for the Tour de France
The link between the Dauphiné and the Tour de France is highly practical. The timing, the location, and the route design are intentionally aligned.
When a rider performs well here, it usually indicates their training peak is timed correctly. Winning the race does not guarantee a Tour de France victory, but struggling heavily in the mountains of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region often suggests a rider is not ready for July. Historically, riders like Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault, and Chris Froome have used this race to refine their form before securing the yellow jersey in Paris.
Practical Recommendations for Cyclists
If you follow professional racing to learn and apply tactics to your own riding, the Criterium du Dauphine offers several technical insights.
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Observe pacing: Watch how the top GC riders measure their efforts on the Grand Colombier. They rely on steady power output rather than sharp accelerations, a strategy you can replicate on long local climbs.
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Note the equipment: At Bikeroom, we pay close attention to the equipment choices during the Dauphiné. Teams frequently test updated road bikes and prototype setups here before finalizing their setups for July.
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Analyze team positioning: Pay attention to how teams protect their leaders during the flatter transition stages to conserve energy before the mountains.
FAQs
What is the difference between the Criterium du Dauphine and Paris-Nice? Paris-Nice takes place in March and features mixed weather conditions with shorter, punchier climbs. The Criterium du Dauphine takes place in June, features high-alpine mountain passes, and serves as a direct preparatory race for the Tour de France.
Why was the Criterium du Dauphine renamed? Starting in 2026, the race is officially called the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes to acknowledge the expanded support from the host regions in central and southeastern France.
Is the race actually a criterium? No. In modern cycling terminology, a criterium is a short, closed-circuit race. However, when the event was founded in 1947, the French term "critérium" was broadly applied to various sporting competitions.
Conclusion
The Criterium du Dauphine, now navigating its new chapter as the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, remains a fixture of the professional calendar. It provides riders with a severe test of fitness and teams with a final opportunity to refine their strategies. The race relies on difficult terrain and precise timing to maintain its relevance. Understanding its history and route helps clarify why the peloton treats these eight days in June with such high regard.
