2021 Critérium du Dauphiné Race Preview
The details of this year's 2021 Critérium du Dauphiné are falling into place. Find the latest route profiles and maps below, followed by our strategic preview of the race.
The Critérium du Dauphiné returns for its 73rd edition, rolling out across the roads of southeastern France in what promises to be one of the most competitive tune-up races ahead of the Tour de France. The eight-day event, taking place in early June, once again serves its traditional purpose as the final major preparation race for those targeting glory on the grande boucle later in the summer, and the start list reflects that ambition with remarkable clarity.
Defending champion Primož Roglič leads a formidable Jumbo-Visma team into the race, and the Slovenian will be eager to demonstrate that his Vuelta a España victory from the previous autumn has carried into the new season with full momentum. Roglič has shown himself to be a rider who thrives in the mountainous terrain that the Dauphiné traditionally serves up, and he will be surrounded by a team capable of controlling the race from the front.
Geraint Thomas returns to competitive racing at this event and will be looking to show that he retains the climbing ability that brought him Tour de France success in 2018. The Welshman has had an interrupted build-up and the Dauphiné represents a significant opportunity to assess his condition under genuine race pressure against top-level opponents.
Richard Carapaz, the 2019 Giro d'Italia winner now riding for Ineos Grenadiers, enters as another serious contender capable of challenging in the high mountains. The Ecuadorian climber brings an elegant efficiency to the steepest gradients and will have serious ambitions across the final days of racing.
The route itself does not spare the legs, with the crucial mountain stages pushing riders deep into Alpine territory. The final days in particular feature the kind of savage climbing that separates genuine Tour de France contenders from those who merely hope to be. Summit finishes and punishing ascents will force riders to reveal their true condition, making the Dauphiné an invaluable intelligence exercise for team directors and rivals alike.
Jakob Fuglsang of Astana brings consistent stage race quality to the lineup, while David Gaudu will carry the hopes of Groupama-FDJ and could emerge as a genuine overall threat if the French team can provide him adequate support through the mountains. Aleksandr Vlasov and Richie Porte add further depth to an already compelling field.
The sprinters will have their moments in the opening stages, and Peter Sagan among others may take an interest in those opportunities before the race reaches its mountain climax. But make no mistake, this is fundamentally a race decided on the climbs, where the strongest general classification riders will battle for supremacy and use the contest to sharpen their form and tactical understanding ahead of July.
With so much talent converging on the roads of the Dauphiné and with Tour de France places and confidence firmly at stake, this edition promises to deliver racing of the highest intensity throughout its eight days.
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