the queen stage between Albertville and Samoëns, a finale at the Plateau des Glières… Discover the route of the 76th edition

The Critérium du Dauphiné, dress rehearsal for the Tour de France, will take place between June 2 and 9, in the presence of Jonas Vingegaard, Primoz Roglic and Remco Evenepoel.

It is “a race that says a lot about the Tour de France” following, as Christian Prudhomme confirms. The Critérium du Dauphiné, which was won by Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) and whose best climber’s jersey was already worn by Giulio Ciccone (Lidl-Trek) a few weeks before the Grande Boucle last year, will be organized from June 2 to 9 in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. His route was revealed on Thursday February 1, and he will notably reserve a particularly difficult stage the day before the final finish, between Albertville and Samoëns 1 600. Jonas Vingegaard, Primoz Roglic (Bora-Hansgrohe) and Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step ) are waiting.

The Dauphiné will start from Saint-Pourçain-sur-Sioule, for a 174.8 km stage which will arrive in the same commune of Allier, after two loops which will include 3rd and 4th category climbs. Slight difficulties which should not prevent the sprinters from competing for victory. The second and third stages, between Gannat and the Col de la Loge, then between Celles-sur-Durolle and Estables, are a little hillier, with 2nd, 3rd and 4th category passes.

The traditional time trial will be organized during the 4th stage, on a rolling course of 34.4 km between Saint-Germain-Laval and Neulise. It will be followed by a stage which should give pride of place to sprinters, with a long straight finish in Saint-Priest, after 200 km covered from Amplepuis.

Explanations in Savoie and Haute-Savoie

The serious things will begin the next day, between Hauterives and Le Collet d’Allevars, the first non-category pass of this edition (11km at 8.1%). A foretaste of what will await the runners for the 7th stage, 145.5 km long between Albertville and Samoëns 1 600. A queen stage which will pass through the cols des Saisies (9.4 km at 6.6%), des Aravis (6.9 km at 6.9%), de la Colombière (11.6 km at 5.8%) and the Côte d’Arâches ( 6.1 km at 7.1%), before an unprecedented finale towards Samoëns after 10 kilometers of ascent at 9.3%.

The winner of the Dauphiné could be crowned on Saturday June 8, unless the last stage between Thônes and the Plateau des Glières decides between the leaders, at the end of 152.5km, including two first category passes before the arrival at the Plateau (9.4 km at 7.1%).