Tour Auvergne - Rhône - Alpes

The Tour Auvergne - Rhône - Alpes, previously the  Critérium du Dauphiné, is an annual cycling road race held in the Dauphiné region in southeastern France. Typically run over eight days in early June, this race is a critical part of the UCI World Tour calendar and serves as an essential preparation for the Tour de France, akin to the Tour de Suisse. Since its inception in 1947 by the local newspaper, the Dauphiné Libéré, the event has become a proving ground for climbers due to its challenging mountain stages that often feature famous climbs like Mont Ventoux and the Col du Galibier. The race has seen legendary cyclists like Bernard Hinault and Chris Froome, both securing three victories each, who went on to win the Tour de France multiple times.

2025: Tadej Pogačar (Slovenia)
2024: Primož Roglič (Slovenia)
2023: Jonas Vingegaard (Denmark)
2022: Primož Roglič (Slovenia)
2021: Richie Porte (Australia)
2020: Daniel Martínez (Colombia)
2019: Jakob Fuglsang (Denmark)
2018: Geraint Thomas (Great Britain)
2017: Jakob Fuglsang (Denmark)
2016: Chris Froome (Great Britain)
2015: Chris Froome (Great Britain)

The Critérium du Dauphiné, initiated in 1947 by the newspaper Le Dauphiné Libéré, is a historic cycling race deeply rooted in the mountainous terrains of the French Alps, particularly the Rhône-Alpes region. Created to promote the newspaper's circulation after World War II, the race quickly established itself as a significant fixture in the professional cycling calendar, particularly as a preparatory event for the Tour de France. Over the years, the course has evolved, traditionally starting with flatter stages and building up to the high mountain challenges, making it a comprehensive test of a rider's capabilities and form ahead of July's Grand Tour. After a brief discontinuation in the late 1960s, the race resumed under the joint organization of the newspaper and Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO), which took over complete organization in 2010. In 2026 the race was officially renamed the Tour Auvergne - Rhône - Alpes.

Despite none of the 'big 3' taking part (Pogačar, Vingegaard, Evenepoel), all attention is on young superstar Paul Seixas as he prepares for his first Tour de France. The former Criterium du Dauphine has been the traditional warm up race for many past winners. Will it be the same for Seixas? 

Discover the full start list of the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes on this link.