The 69th edition of the Critérium du Dauphiné takes place from June 4–11 and will feature a stage finish on Alpe d’Huez with a different approach.
The race begins in Saint-Étienne with a 170-kilometre stage which includes three laps of a tough final circuit featuring the Rochetaillée climb. The stage may prove too tough for sprinters but they will have opportunities on the following two days finishing in Arlanc and Tullins.
The fourth stage is a 23.5-kilometre time trial around Bourgoin-Jallieu before the climbers come to the fore on the closing three stages.
Right before the finish on La Motte-Servolex on Stage 6, the riders will have to face Mont du Chat, a climb almost 9 kilometres long with an average gradient exceeding 10%. The climb will also feature in stage 9 of the Tour de France from Nantua to Chambéry.
The next day will also bring a scent of the Tour to the Dauphiné, with a stage finish on the Alpe d’Huez after a wholly new approach. Riders will take a detour via Col de Sarenne before tackling the final four kilometres of the legendary climb.
The race will then finish with a 115-kilometre stage, starting with Col des Saisies, followed by Les Aravis and La Colombière, before the final 11.3 km ascent to Plateau de Solaison (average gradient of 9.2%).
Stages
Sunday, 4 June — Stage 1: Saint-Étienne > Saint-Étienne (170 km)
Monday, 5 June — Stage 2: Saint-Chamond > Arlanc (171 km)
Tuesday, 6 June — Stage 3: Le Chambon-sur-Lignon > Tullins (184 km)
Wednesday, 7 June — Stage 4: La Tour-du-Pin > Bourgoin-Jallieu (23.5 ITT)
Thursday, 8 June — Stage 5: La Tour-de-Salvagny > Mâcon (175 km)
Friday, 9 June — Stage 6: Parc des Oiseaux Villars-les-Dombes > La Motte-Servolex (145.5 km)
Saturday, 10 June — Stage 7: Aosta > Alpe d’Huez (167.5 km)
Sunday, 11 June — Stage 8: Albertville > Plateau de Solaison (115 km)
