France 07 Jun – 14 Jun 2026 Class 2.UWT – Stages – UCI WorldTour
Website www.tour-auvergne-rhone-alpes.fr
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The official schedule and stage program for the 2026 Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (historically known as the Critérium du Dauphiné), a prominent 2.UWT UCI WorldTour event held in France from June 7 to June 14, 2026:
2026 Route & Stage Program
The 78th edition covers a total distance of 1,208.1 km across 8 stages, featuring a balanced mix of mountain challenges, hilly terrain, and a team time trial.
| Stage | Date | Route | Distance | Profile Type |
| Stage 1 | Sun. June 7 | Vizille > Saint-Ismier | 146.2 km | Mountain |
| Stage 2 | Mon. June 8 | Saint-Martin-le-Vinoux > Le Puy-en-Velay | 234.3 km | Hilly |
| Stage 3 | Tue. June 9 | Perreux > Perreux | 28.4 km | Team Time-Trial (TTT) |
| Stage 4 | Wed. June 10 | Le Puy-en-Velay > Montrond-les-Bains | 167.4 km | Hilly |
| Stage 5 | Thu. June 11 | Saint-Chamond > Parc des Oiseaux (Villars-les-Dombes) | 195.8 km | Hilly / Flat |
| Stage 6 | Fri. June 12 | Saint-Vulbas > Crest-Voland | 182.3 km | Mountain |
| Stage 7 | Sat. June 13 | La Bridoire > Grand Colombier | 133.6 km | Mountain (Summit Finish) |
| Stage 8 | Sun. June 14 | Beaufort > Plateau de Solaison – Brison | 120.1 km | Mountain (Summit Finish) |
Race Highlights
The Decisive Weekend: The general classification (GC) standings will primarily be decided during the final three high-mountain stages, heavily featuring iconic climbs like the Grand Colombier and the brutal final ascent to the Plateau de Solaison.
The Opener: Stage 1 in Saint-Ismier was claimed by Alex Baudin (EF Education-EasyPost) from an early breakaway, putting him in the leader’s yellow and blue jersey.
The Monster Day: Stage 2 stands out as the longest segment of the race, demanding a grueling 234.3 km ride finishing at Le Puy-en-Velay.
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
The Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes is one of professional cycling’s oldest, most prestigious, and grueling one-week stage races. While the name is brand new for the 2026 season, the event possesses nearly eight decades of rich cycling history, previously known worldwide as the Critérium du Dauphiné.
The evolution of this legendary UCI WorldTour (2.UWT) event spans several distinct eras:
1. The Post-War Origins: Le Dauphiné Libéré (1947–2009)
The race was born in 1947, created by the Grenoble-based regional newspaper Le Dauphiné Libéré.
- The Purpose: Following World War II, the newspaper wanted to boost its circulation and help revitalize French cycling. The route was originally limited strictly to the paper’s distribution area in the historic Dauphiné province.
- The First Winner: Polish rider Edward Klabiński claimed the inaugural edition in 1947.
- The Identity: Over the decades, it earned a reputation as a brutal test of climbing ability, cutting through the high mountains and valleys of southeastern France.
2. The Modern Era: Critérium du Dauphiné (2010–2025)
As print media landscapes shifted, the race severed its direct ties to the newspaper.
- ASO Takeover: In 2010, Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO)—the organizers of the Tour de France—took full operational control. The race was officially shortened to simply the Critérium du Dauphiné.
- The WorldTour Blueprint: Already a part of the UCI ProTour since 2005, ASO integrated the race deeply into the modern WorldTour ecosystem. They used it to scout potential mountain passes, test out technical finishes, and provide a logistical carbon-copy rehearsal for the Tour de France.
3. The 2026 Rebrand: Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Following the conclusion of the 2025 edition, ASO and the regional government officially announced a major symbolic and administrative rebrand.
- Why the Change? The transition reflects a broader administrative and financial partnership with the entire, expanded Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region (created by a merger of the two territories).
- The Legacy: While the historic “Dauphiné” moniker has been retired, the race preserves its identity, including its iconic yellow leader’s jersey with a blue horizontal band and its traditional early-June scheduling. Tadej Pogačar stands as the final winner under the old “Dauphiné” name (2025).
The Ultimate “Tour de France” Rehearsal
The defining feature of this race’s history is its role as a crystal ball for the Tour de France. Because it takes place just a few weeks before the Grande Boucle, the form shown here almost always mirrors what happens in July.
An elite group of legendary cyclists have completed the “Dauphiné/Tour Double”—winning both races in the exact same calendar year:
- Louison Bobet (1955)
- Jacques Anquetil (1963)
- Eddy Merckx (1971)
- Luis Ocaña (1973)
- Bernard Thévenet (1975)
- Bernard Hinault (1979, 1981)
- Miguel Induráin (1995)
- Bradley Wiggins (2012)
- Chris Froome (2013, 2015, 2016)
- Jonas Vingegaard (2023)
- Tadej Pogačar (2025)
Historical Fact: Five riders share the record for the most overall victories in the race’s history, each claiming three titles: Nello Lauredi, Luis Ocaña, Bernard Hinault, Charly Mottet, and Chris Froome.
