The course for the mountain warriors on bikes in the 2021 Critérium du Dauphiné 2021, consisting of eight stages (30 May to 6 Jun), has been unveiled
2021 Critérium du Dauphiné Route
Following the start in Issoire with a loop stage on a dynamic circuit, the organisers have cooked up a tough yet balanced course and brought back the Wednesday time trial to keep fans on the edge of their seats. A gruelling Alpine trilogy with finishes in Le Sappey-en-Chartreuse and the ski resorts of La Plagne and Les Gets will decide the showdown among the stars of the peloton, who will be hunting for a victory in the Dauphiné to boost their confidence ahead of the Tour de France.
Even in recent years, the various theories on how to interpret the Critérium du Dauphiné to predict how the Tour de France will unfold a month later have been tried and found lacking.
Whereas Bradley Wiggins, Chris Froome and Geraint Thomas got a taste of success here ahead of the greatest victories of their careers, Alberto Contador would often struggle in the Critérium du Dauphiné, even at his peak, while the winners of the last two editions, Jakob Fuglsang and Dani Martínez, proved unable to follow up their promising results in June with a similar performance in July.
However, one thing always remains the same: even as the Tour looms on the horizon, the stars of the peloton take the challenge seriously, put on a spectacular show and attach a great deal of importance to the Alpine duels that take place here. The 2021 course has been designed to gradually turn up the heat on the peloton in a trek from the Central Massif to the Alps.
The rubber will hit the road on the inaugural stage starting and ending in Issoire, where the sprinters will have their work cut out for them to stay in contention until the finish. It will be more of the same two days later in Saint-Haon-le-Vieux, where the 800m home straight bends upwards to the sky. At 16.5 kilometres, the time trial from Firminy to Roche-la-Molière will be just long enough to shake things up a bit but, at the same time, short enough to keep the race wide open.
After four stages run mostly in Auvergne and a plunge to the Rhône Valley that could force a selection among the punchers for the showdown in Saint-Vallier, the peloton will head to the Alpine peaks, where the mountain warriors will hog the limelight from the stage to Le Sappey-en-Chartreuse, featuring the Col de Porte. This will be just an appetiser, as the next day will see the Dauphiné discover the La Plagne ski resort, coming after a 17 kilometre ascent with an average gradient of 7.5% and with the riders’ legs already softened up by the Col de Pré and the Cormet de Roselend.
On Sunday, the 145 km grand finale will serve up a succession of climbs ready for use as a launch pad for an epic adventure: the roads up the Col des Aravis, Col de la Colombière, Côte de Châtillon and, especially, Col de Joux Plane, are the perfect terrain to go on the offensive, as is the plunge to Morzine, where the top descenders in the peloton will come out to play. The ascent to Les Gets will wrap up this climbing-fest. On clear days, it is said you can see Brest from the top of the mountain…
Critérium du Dauphiné 2021 stages :
St 1. Sunday, May 30th – Issoire > Issoire, 182 km
St 2. Monday, May 31st – Brioude > Saugues, 173 km
St 3. Tuesday, June 1st – Langeac > Saint-Haon-Le-Vieux, 172 km
St 4. Wednesday, June 2nd – Firminy > Roche-La-Molière, 16,5 km (individual time trial)
St 5. Thursday, June 3rd – Saint-Chamond > Saint-Vallier, 175,5 km
St 6. Friday, June 4th – Loriol-sur-Drôme > Le Sappey-en-Chartreuse, 168 km
St 7. Saturday, June 5th – Saint-Martin-Le-Vinoux > La Plagne, 171,5 km
St 8. Sunday, June 6th – La Léchère-les-Bains > Les Gets 147 km
Team selection
In accordance with Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) rules, the following nineteen UCI WorldTeams are automatically invited to the race:
AG2R Citroën Team (Fra)
Astana – Premier Tech (Kaz)
Bahrain Victorious (Brn)
Bora – Hansgrohe (Ger)
Cofidis (Fra)
Deceuninck – Quick-Step (Bel)
EF Education – NIPPO (Usa)
Groupama – FDJ (Fra)
Ineos Grenadiers (Gbr)
Intermarché – Wanty – Gobert Matériaux (Bel)
Israel Start-Up Nation (Isr)
Jumbo – Visma (Ned)
Lotto Soudal (Bel)
Movistar Team (Esp)
Team BikeExchange (Aus)
Team DSM (Ger)
Team Qhubeka Assos (Rsa)
Trek – Segafredo (Usa)
UAE Team Emirates (Uae)
The organizers invite the following teams:
B&B Hotels P/B KTM (Fra)
Team Arkéa – Samsic (Fra)
Cycle Division’s Shop
Send your results as well as club, team & event news here
Other Results on VeloUK (including reports containing results)
- Features, Reports, Results
- TT Result: ECCA 10m TT
- TT Result: Gillingham & Dist Whs TT
- RR Result: Gifford Road Race (3-4)
- TT Result: Southern Counties CU 10m TT
- Crit Result: Omega Early Season Circuits
- TT Result: Plomesgate CC 10m TT
- Crit Result: Schils Spring Circuit Races 1
- BMCR RESULTS – DARLEY MOOR
- Crit Result: Haus RT – Darley Moor #2
- News: British Road Champs Return to NE
- TT Result: Circuit Of Ingleborough
- RR Result: Wally Gimber RR
- TT Result: Cardiff Ajax CC TT
- TT Result: Southern Counties CU TT
- TT Result: CTT Classic Series 1
- TT Result: GTR – Return To Life Two Up TT
- TT Result: Hainault RC Hilly 50km TT
- NEXT WEEKEND: Peaks Two Day is Back!
- News: Laura Kenny Retires
- RR Result: Gifford National B
- RR Results: Junior Men’s & Women’s CiCLE Classic
- Crit Result: Salt Ayre Spring Series 2
- Crit Result: Exeter Uni Early Season Crits
- Team News: Lee Valley Youth Cycling Team
- 2024/25 CYCLO-CROSS CALENDAR
- Startlist: Cardiff Ajax CC 10 Mile TT
- TT Result: Bristol Uni CC 10m TT
- TT Result: Matlock CC 25m TT
- TT Result: Lea Valley CC 25m TT
- TT Result: Port Talbot Whs 25m Two Up
- Startlists: 16th Gifford Road Races (Scotland)
- News: Ellingworth is new Tour of Britain Director
- RR Result: NCRA Spring Handicap RR 2
- Crit Result: Full Gas Spring Rumble Series #2
- Crit Result: Spring MK Bowl Series
- Startlist: Circuit of Ingleborough TT
- TT Result: Swindon Hardriders 30m TT
- STARTLIST: Evesham Vale Road Race 2024
- Track Result: Manchester Regional Track League
- Mammoth fields for Women’s/Junior Men’s CiCLE Classics
Other News on VeloUK
- News: British Road Champs Return to NE
- NEXT WEEKEND: Peaks Two Day is Back!
- News: Laura Kenny Retires
- Team News: Lee Valley Youth Cycling Team
- 2024/25 CYCLO-CROSS CALENDAR
- Startlist: Cardiff Ajax CC 10 Mile TT
- Startlists: 16th Gifford Road Races (Scotland)
- News: Ellingworth is new Tour of Britain Director
- Startlist: Circuit of Ingleborough TT
- STARTLIST: Evesham Vale Road Race 2024
- Mammoth fields for Women’s/Junior Men’s CiCLE Classics
- Saturday: Fusion Media Women’s Series Rd 1
- Saint Piran’s Global Women’s Project
- Ribble Rebellion: The Riders
- Team News: Ribble Rebellion Team Launch
- British Classics – 64th Wally Gimber Trophy
- Startlist: 62nd Eddie Soens
- Startlist: 10th Junior Men’s CiCLE Classic (March 17)
- Startlist: 8th Women’s CiCLE Classic (March 17)
- Startlist: 40th Jock Wadley Memorial RR
- Riders: Azets Spring Classic (March 24)
- Bike News: DJ Spoony’s Special & unique Ribble Ultra SL R
- GB Team News: Helen Scott now Men’s Sprint Podium Potential Coach
- Startlist: Royal Navy Cup 2024
- News: Halesowen Academy 2024
- Report: Day 3 British Track Championships
- New Women’s Series in the Midlands
- News: RideLondon Classique
- Event News: CiCLE Classic (Women & Junior Men)
- Quiz Time! Toby Bush (Fensham Howes – MAS Design)
- 2024 Otley CC Race Team
- News: British Cycling Elite Development Teams
- Startlist: Velo Club St Raphael TT
- Team News: Fensham Howes – MAS Design RT Launch
- Ladies: Join BMCR for £10!
- 2024 TEAMS: Shibden Apex RT Junior Men
- Entry List: Clayton Spring Classic Handicap
- 2024 British Teams – Sigma Sports RT
- TEAM NEWS: Max Walker joins Astana
- News: trainSharp Orro Elite Team Launch