Preview Critérium du Dauphiné 2025 | Pogacar, Vingegaard, and Evenepoel battle it out in important test ahead of the Tour
CyclingThursday, 05 June 2025 at 08:56
Since normalizing high-altitude training camps, the Critérium du Dauphiné has been considered the ultimate warm-up race for the Tour de France. This is also the case in 2025, with last year's top three finishers in the Tour de France among the participants. IDLProCycling.com outlines the possible scenarios for you!
Of course, the Dauphiné has a long history. Bernard Hinault, Miguel Indurain, and Lance Armstrong all won it in the years they also won the Tour, and Sky also made it a tradition to use the Dauphiné as a benchmark for the all-important month of July in cycling.
Interesting fact: Tadej Pogacar hasn't won this race yet. The Slovenian rider has only competed once, in 2020. He finished fourth in the GC but won the Tour shortly afterward. Jonas Vingegaard won the race once in 2023. Last year, as in 2022, the victory went to Primoz Roglic, who will not compete this season.
Latest winners Critérium du Dauphiné
2024 Primoz Roglic
2023 Jonas Vingegaard
2022 Primoz Roglic
2021 Richie Porte
2020 Daniel Felipe Martínez
2019 Jakob Fuglsang
2018 Geraint Thomas
2017 Jakob Fuglsang
2016 Chris Froome
2015 Chris Froome
2023 Jonas Vingegaard
2022 Primoz Roglic
2021 Richie Porte
2020 Daniel Felipe Martínez
2019 Jakob Fuglsang
2018 Geraint Thomas
2017 Jakob Fuglsang
2016 Chris Froome
2015 Chris Froome
Course, favorites stage wins and times Critérium du Dauphiné 2025
Stage 1, Sunday, June 8: Domérat - Montluçon ( 195.8 km)
The Critérium du Dauphiné starts on Sunday, June 8, in Domerat. The first stage takes the peloton to Montlucon, where they will complete two local laps with some punchy climbs. The Cote de Domerat (1.9 km at 4.0%) and Cote de Buffon (0.6 km at 8.6%) could theoretically exhaust the fast men.
Favorites
Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek)
Pascal Ackermann (Israel-Premier Tech)
Axel Laurance (INEOS Grenadiers)
Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek)
Pascal Ackermann (Israel-Premier Tech)
Axel Laurance (INEOS Grenadiers)
Times
Start: 10:10 AM local time (04:10 AM EDT)
Finish: approximately 2:50 PM local time (08:50 AM EDT)
Start: 10:10 AM local time (04:10 AM EDT)
Finish: approximately 2:50 PM local time (08:50 AM EDT)
Stage 2, Monday, June 9: Prémilhat - Issoire (204.6 km)
Stage two of the Critérium du Dauphiné is similar to stage one. We start in Prémilhat and arrive in Issoire after 205 kilometers of racing. Five kilometers from the finish, there is another little climb that could once again disrupt the peloton.
Favorites
Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek)
Soren Waerenskjold (Uno-X)
Pascal Ackermann (Israel-Premier Tech)
Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek)
Soren Waerenskjold (Uno-X)
Pascal Ackermann (Israel-Premier Tech)
Times
Start: 12:20 PM local time (06:20 AM EDT)
Finish: 5:12 PM local time (11:12 AM EDT)
Start: 12:20 PM local time (06:20 AM EDT)
Finish: 5:12 PM local time (11:12 AM EDT)
Stage 3, Tuesday, June 10: Brioude - Charantonnay (207.2 km)
Every year, the A.S.O. chooses to give those who like to attack a chance in the Critérium du Dauphiné; this third stage seems to lend itself to that. It goes up and down constantly, especially in the first half of the race, which, combined with its length of 207 kilometers, could be a good day for the baroudeurs.
Favorites
Magnus Cort (Uno-X)
Toms Skujins (Lidl-Trek)
Fred Wright (Bahrain Victorious)
Magnus Cort (Uno-X)
Toms Skujins (Lidl-Trek)
Fred Wright (Bahrain Victorious)
Times
Start: 12:15 PM local time (06:15 AM EDT)
Finish: approximately 5:11 PM local time (11:11 AM EDT)
Start: 12:15 PM local time (06:15 AM EDT)
Finish: approximately 5:11 PM local time (11:11 AM EDT)
Stage 4, Wednesday, June 11: Charmes-sur-Rhône - Saint-Péray (time trial, 17.4 km)
On day four, the program includes an individual time trial of 17.4 kilometers. Along the way, the riders have to overcome a tricky climb of almost two kilometers at more than eight percent, which could be crucial for the day's result.
Favorites
Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step)
Tadej Pogacar (UAE Emirates-XRG)
Jonas Vingegaard (Visma | Lease a Bike)
Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step)
Tadej Pogacar (UAE Emirates-XRG)
Jonas Vingegaard (Visma | Lease a Bike)
Times
Start: 2:15 PM local time (08:15 AM EDT) (first rider)
Start: 2:15 PM local time (08:15 AM EDT) (first rider)
Finish: 5:10 PM local time (11:10 AM EDT) (last rider)
Stage 5, Thursday, June 12: Saint-Priest - Mâcon (183 km)
Stage five takes the riders from Saint-Priest to Macon and has been classified as hilly. It could go either way between the time trial and the mountain stages: either we see a sprint, or the attackers seize their chance once again.
Favorites
Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek)
Fred Wright (Bahrain Victorious)
Matteo Trentin (Tudor)
Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek)
Fred Wright (Bahrain Victorious)
Matteo Trentin (Tudor)
Times
Start: 12:55 PM local time (06:55 AM EDT)
Finish: approximately 5:10 PM local time (11:10 AM EDT)
Start: 12:55 PM local time (06:55 AM EDT)
Finish: approximately 5:10 PM local time (11:10 AM EDT)
Stage 6, Friday, June 13: Valserhône - Combloux (126.6 km)
On Friday, we head into the mountains. Between Valserhone and Comboux, a stage of just 126.7 kilometers is scheduled, in which the riders will have to tackle several steep climbs. The final climb can be divided into two parts: first, the Cote de Domancy, which is 2.4 kilometers at 8.6 percent, and then the Col de Cry, 2.7 kilometers at 8.2 percent.
Favorites
Tadej Pogacar (UAE Emirates-XRG)
Lenny Martinez (Bahrain Victorious)
Mattias Skjelmose (Lidl-Trek)
Tadej Pogacar (UAE Emirates-XRG)
Lenny Martinez (Bahrain Victorious)
Mattias Skjelmose (Lidl-Trek)
Times
Start: 2 PM local time (8 AM EDT)
Finish: approximately 5:10 PM local time (11:10 AM EDt)
Start: 2 PM local time (8 AM EDT)
Finish: approximately 5:10 PM local time (11:10 AM EDt)
Stage 7, Saturday, June 14: Grand-Aigueblanche - Valmeinier 1800 (131.6 km)
Ooh la la, what a ride this will be! We start with the Madeleine (24.6 kilometers at 6.2 percent), then continue to the Croix de Fer (22.4 kilometers at 6.9 percent), and finally, the climb to Valmenier 1800 (16.5 kilometers at 7.6 percent) awaits us. No further explanation is needed.
Favorites
Tadej Pogacar (UAE Emirates-XRG)
Tadej Pogacar (UAE Emirates-XRG)
Jonas Vingegaard (Visma | Lease a Bike)
Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step)
Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step)
Times
Start: 12:10 PM local time (06:10 AM EDT)
Finish: approximately 4:26 PM local time (10:26 AM EDT)
Start: 12:10 PM local time (06:10 AM EDT)
Finish: approximately 4:26 PM local time (10:26 AM EDT)
Stage 8, Sunday, June 15: Val-d'Arc - Val-Cenis, Plateau du Mont-Cenis (133.3 km)
For the third day in a row, the organizers have chosen a mountain stage of approximately 130 kilometers. This time, the altitude will rise from 315 to 2097 meters, with the finish on the Val-Cenis plateau. This five-kilometer-long plateau follows the climb of Mont-Cenis, which is 9.6 kilometers long with an average gradient of 6.9 percent.
Favorites
Jonas Vingegaard (Visma | Lease a Bike)
Tadej Pogacar (UAE Emirates-XRG)
Florian Lipowitz (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe)
Jonas Vingegaard (Visma | Lease a Bike)
Tadej Pogacar (UAE Emirates-XRG)
Florian Lipowitz (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe)
Times
Start: 1:30 PM local time (07:30 AM EDT)
Finish: approximately 5:11 PM local time (11:11 AM EDT)
Start: 1:30 PM local time (07:30 AM EDT)
Finish: approximately 5:11 PM local time (11:11 AM EDT)
Favorites final classification Critérium du Dauphiné 2025
Please note that the start list is not yet complete.
This year's Critérium du Dauphiné can undoubtedly be called a mini Tour de France. As mentioned in the introduction, the entire final podium of the 2024 Tour de France will be at the start, with Tadej Pogacar (UAE Emirates-XRG), Jonas Vingegaard (Visma | Lease a Bike), and Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step)—the big names in current stage race competition.
Pogacar has most of his Tour team, including Tim Wellens, at his disposal. Nils Politt and Pavel Sivakov. The Slovenian is making his comeback in the Dauphiné after finishing his almost perfect spring in Liège-Bastogne-Liège. Incidentally, the Dauphiné is not yet on the talented rider's list of achievements, and he will certainly want to change that.
Jonas Vingegaard will be back in action for Visma | Lease a Bike after a three-month absence due to a crash in Paris-Nice. The Dane will be joined by Matteo Jorgenson, who narrowly missed out on overall victory in the Alps last season. The duo will also be chasing success for the Dutch team in the Tour.
Evenepoel last raced in Romandy, where he finished fifth. Like his competitors, the Belgian has been training in the Sierra Nevada in recent weeks. He hopes to improve his form after his delayed return due to a crash at the end of 2024.
In the Dauphiné, we sometimes see other riders stand out. Think of riders such as Jakob Fuglsang and Janez Brajkovic, who suddenly won this race a few weeks before the Tour. This year, we see potential in the explosive Bahrain Victorious duo Santiago Buitrago and Lenny Martinez, Lidl-Trek-Deen Mattias Skjelmose, and/or Florian Lipowitz from Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe.
Other GC contenders at the start are Harold Tejada (XDS-Astana), Guillaume Martin (Groupama-FDJ), Felix Gall (Decathlon AG2R), Carlos Rodriguez (INEOS Grenadiers), Enric Mas (Movistar), Eddie Dunbar (Jayco AlUla), Max Poole, and the retiring Romain Bardet of Picnic PostNL.
Data powered by FirstCycling.com
Who are the favorites for the final classification of the Critérium du Dauphiné 2025, according to IDLProCycling.com?
Top favorites: Tadej Pogacar (UAE Emirates-XRG) and Jonas Vingegaard (Visma | Lease a Bike)
Outsiders: Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step), Matteo Jorgenson (Visma | Lease a Bike), Florian Lipowitz (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe) and Lenny Martinez (Bahrain Victorious)
Long-shots: Santiago Buitrago (Bahrain Victorious), Mattias Skjelmose (Lidl-Trek), Enric Mas (Movistar), Harold Tejada (XDS-Astana), Felix Gall (Decathlon AG2R), Carlos Rodriguez (INEOS Grenadiers), Eddie Dunbar (Jayco AlUla) and Max Poole (Picnic PostNL)
Outsiders: Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step), Matteo Jorgenson (Visma | Lease a Bike), Florian Lipowitz (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe) and Lenny Martinez (Bahrain Victorious)
Long-shots: Santiago Buitrago (Bahrain Victorious), Mattias Skjelmose (Lidl-Trek), Enric Mas (Movistar), Harold Tejada (XDS-Astana), Felix Gall (Decathlon AG2R), Carlos Rodriguez (INEOS Grenadiers), Eddie Dunbar (Jayco AlUla) and Max Poole (Picnic PostNL)
TV broadcast Critérium du Dauphiné 2025
The Critérium du Dauphiné will attract considerable media attention. For eight days, you can follow the race on Eurosport (and HBO Max), Sporza on VRT 1, and online via the NOS.
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Latest Comments
- Carapaz is full of it. He is absolutely irrelevant after a rant at del Toro. Isaac had no obligations to do anything for Carapaz. It should remind one of the saying that goes lke this: "If I jump off the bridge, are you going to jump too?" If Caapaz wanted to win the Giro he should have chased Yates with or without Isaac. And if del Toro could follow, then so be it. But it was Carapaz's choice to slow down and stare at Isaac. Isaac was on the radio at times and you can bet he was being told by the Team car to do just what he was doing. Did I like that he didn't set out after Yates himself, NO. But the 21 year old was probably being instructed to do what he did, otherwise you can bet we would have heard from UAE mgmt. that Isaac chose to ignore their orders. But what we did hear was they were happy with his result. Which I think was a terrible betrayal of their young rider, who I think was capable of more than that penultimate stage showed. The Giro finished on a truly sour note as far as I'm concerned, because it was not "raced" The most crucial stage of the whole 21 stage race was simply given away, playing games with the unwritten rules of bicycle racing. "Leaders jerseys responsibility" and all that nonsense. Just RACE! It was disgraceful.
reemmo004-06-2025 - Well this aged like fine milkGlyn31-05-2025
- This is just mean-spirited.agnessk29-05-2025
- Something a bit misleading with this headline...mrbobke23-05-2025
- Jonas will lose to Pogi and retire after this yearqpshealing22-05-2025
- The secret 2.5mm shorter cracks that's going to magically give him 30 more watts. Couldn't be anything else😅Veganpotter20-05-2025
- No comment but here's my comment!Veganpotter09-05-2025
- No comment but here's my comment!Veganpotter09-05-2025
- Jos van Emden is right to speak out. The UCI’s lack of transparency and inconsistent decision-making have eroded trust among teams, riders, and fans alike. When even experienced professionals like Van Emden lose faith, it’s a clear signal that the system needs serious reform. Integrity and fairness should be at the core of any governing body, something the UCI needs to be reminded of.ahmed06-05-2025
- Why continue to give this bully and liar a platform. Both he and Bruyneel should be persona non grata in the cycling world.Aodh25-04-2025