The Critérium du Dauphiné, now officially known as the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, returns for its 78th edition from 7 to 14 June 2026. Widely regarded as the most important warm-up race for the Tour de France, this eight-stage UCI WorldTour event takes the peloton on a gruelling 1,200-kilometre journey through the mountains of south-eastern France, from Vizille to the Plateau de Solaison. With defending champion Tadej Pogačar expected to headline the start list, the 2026 edition promises a spectacular week of racing across the Alps and Massif Central.
What is the Critérium du Dauphiné?
The Critérium du Dauphiné is a prestigious week-long stage race held annually in the Dauphiné and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes regions of France. First run in 1947, it has long served as the key final preparation for riders targeting the Tour de France general classification, which typically begins just two weeks after the Dauphiné concludes. Organised by ASO, the same body behind the Tour de France, the race is part of the UCI WorldTour calendar and attracts the strongest field of any pre-Tour stage race.
The 2026 edition marks the first year under the new name “Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes”, following a partnership with the host region. Despite the rebrand, the format remains unchanged: eight stages mixing flat sprint opportunities, time trials, and fearsome mountain finishes that test the form and ambitions of Tour contenders.
When is the Critérium du Dauphiné 2026?
The race runs from Sunday 7 June to Sunday 14 June 2026, covering eight stages across one week. The opening stage departs from Vizille on Sunday, with the race moving through the Rhône Valley, Ardèche, and Loire before returning to the high mountains for a dramatic final weekend. Stage 3 on Tuesday 10 June features a team time trial near Roanne. The decisive mountain stages fall on Saturday 13 June, with the fearsome Grand Colombier, and Sunday 14 June, when the general classification will be decided on the Plateau de Solaison.
Where is the Critérium du Dauphiné 2026?
The race traverses the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of south-eastern France, starting in Vizille, a historic town in the Isère department at the foot of the Alps. The route covers a wide arc through the Vercors, Chartreuse, and Belledonne mountain ranges before venturing west to Le Puy and Roanne, then swinging back east for the alpine finale. The final stage finishes at the Plateau de Solaison in Haute-Savoie, a brutally steep summit finish at 9.1% average gradient over 11.3 kilometres. This is a roadside spectator event, with fans free to line the route at any point along the stages.
Key Contenders
Defending champion Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) is the overwhelming favourite should he take the start. The Slovenian dominated the 2025 edition, winning three stages en route to the overall title, and enters 2026 as the reigning Tour de France champion. His chief rival Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike), who finished second in 2025 at 59 seconds, will be one to watch, though his participation may depend on his Giro d’Italia recovery schedule. Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-QuickStep) is another major contender, having finished fourth overall in 2025, while young German talent Florian Lipowitz (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe), third in 2025, will look to confirm his emergence as a genuine Grand Tour threat.
How to Watch
In the United Kingdom, the Critérium du Dauphiné is broadcast live on TNT Sports and available to stream via Discovery+. Note that there is no free-to-air coverage of ASO cycling events in the UK from 2026. In the United States, coverage is available on Peacock (NBC’s streaming platform) for ASO races, with FloBikes also providing live streams. In Australia, SBS offers free-to-air coverage of major cycling events. Across Europe, Eurosport and Discovery+ carry live broadcasts in most territories. France Télévisions provides domestic coverage in France. Full stage coverage typically begins from early afternoon Central European Time.
History and Records
The race was founded in 1947 by the newspaper Le Dauphiné Libéré to boost its circulation, with Polish rider Edward Klabiński winning the inaugural edition. Five riders share the record for most overall victories with three wins each: Nello Lauredi (1950, 1951, 1954), Luis Ocaña (1970, 1972, 1973), Bernard Hinault (1977, 1979, 1981), Charly Mottet (1987, 1989, 1992), and Chris Froome (2013, 2015, 2016). The race was discontinued in 1967 and 1968 but has run continuously since its return. ASO assumed full organisational control in 2010, and the 2026 edition marks the first under the new Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes branding. The Dauphiné has long been a reliable predictor of Tour form, with many eventual Tour winners using it as their final tune-up.
Tickets and Attendance
Like most professional road cycling events, the Critérium du Dauphiné is free to watch from the roadside. Spectators can position themselves anywhere along the route, with mountain climbs and summit finishes offering the most atmospheric viewing. No tickets are required for roadside access. The official race website publishes detailed stage maps with recommended spectator zones and road closure times. VIP hospitality packages are occasionally available through ASO for start and finish areas. Fans planning to watch mountain stages should arrive early, as roads close several hours before the peloton passes.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the Critérium du Dauphiné 2026 start?
The race starts on Sunday 7 June 2026, with Stage 1 departing from Vizille in the Isère department of France.
Where is the Critérium du Dauphiné 2026 being held?
The race runs through the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of south-eastern France, starting in Vizille and finishing at the Plateau de Solaison in Haute-Savoie.
How can I watch the Critérium du Dauphiné?
In the UK, live coverage is on TNT Sports and Discovery+. In the US, watch on Peacock or FloBikes. Eurosport and Discovery+ cover most of Europe.
Who won the Critérium du Dauphiné last year?
Tadej Pogačar won the 2025 edition, finishing ahead of Jonas Vingegaard (second at 59 seconds) and Florian Lipowitz (third at 2 minutes 38 seconds).