The Critérium du Dauphiné returns to its traditional format in 2021, with the individual time trial returning after a hiatus of one year. The route, which was unveiled on Monday, will have consecutive results at the summit at the alpine resorts of La Plagne and Les Gets over the past weekend.
Last year’s Dauphiné was the first in race history to have no time trial. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the event was later moved to mid-August and shortened to five stages, with Daniel Martínez emerging victorious.
The 2021 Dauphiné starts in Auvergne on May 30 with a 182 km stage starting and ending in Issoire, where the undulating terrain can prove beyond pure sprinters. Fast men should have a clearer opportunity the next day, from Brioude to Saugues, Romain Bardet’s hometown.
Phase 3 brings the race to Saint-Haon-le-Vieux, which has a difficult finishing line that can tip the balance in favor of finisseurs.
Given the number of kilometers of time trial on the Tour de France 2021 route, it is not surprising that discipline will return to the Dauphiné this year. Unlike some recent editions of the race, however, the time trial is not exactly a dress rehearsal for the July tests, as the stage from Firminy to Roche-La-Molière is only 16.5 km long.
The terrain becomes more rugged in the second half of the Dauphiné, starting with a day tailored to puncheurs on stage 5 from Saint-Chamond to Saint-Vallier. Category 2 Côte du Montrebut comes just over 12 km from the end and serves as an ideal springboard for attackers.
This stage serves as a preface to three demanding final days in the Alps. Stage 6 brings the race over the Col de Porte (7.4 km to 6.8 percent) before a two-part climb to the end at Le Sappey-en-Chartreuse via the category 3 climbs of the Côte de la Frette (3.7 km to 5.4 percent) and the Montée du Sappey-en-Chartreuse (3.3 km to 6.2 percent).
The penultimate stage involves the Col du Pré (12.6 km to 7.7 percent) and the Cormet de Roseland (5.7 km to 6.5 percent), before the difficult journey to the finish in La Plagne (17.1 km at 7.5 percent).
THE hors categorie the ascension has been the stage of stages in the Tour de France on four occasions, starting with the victory of Laurent Fignon in 1984. The Frenchman won again three years later, although his victory by stage was overshadowed by the dramatic persecution of Stephen Roche by Pedro Delgado in the race for the yellow shirt. Alex Zülle prevented Miguel Indurain from winning in 1995, while Michael Boogerd won on the Tour’s last visit in 2002.
The final stage of the Dauphiné features no less than six classified climbs, including Col des Aravis (6.7 km at 7 percent) and Col de la Colombière (11.7 km at 5.8 percent). The most difficult climb of the day is the hors catégorie Col de Joux plane (11.6 km to 8.5 percent), the summit of which is just under 17 km from the end. There follows a sharp drop for Morzine, before the short, unqualified climb to the finish line at Les Gets.
The 19 WorldTour teams and the 2020 Europe Tour winners, Alpecin-Fenix, will compete in the Dauphiné 2021, while ASO confirmed that B&B Hotels b / w KTM and Arkéa-Samsic received wildcard invitations.
Route of the Criterium du Dauphiné 2021
Sunday, May 30th. Stage 1, Issoire – Issoire, 182 km
Monday, May 31. Stage 2, Brioude – Saugues, 173 km
Tuesday, June 1st. Stage 3, Langeac – Saint-Haon-Le-Vieux, 172 km
Wednesday, June 2. Stage 4, Firminy – Roche-La-Molière, 16.5 km (individual time trial)
Thursday, June 3. Stage 5, Saint-Chamond – Saint-Vallier, 175.5 km
Friday, June 4th. Stage 6, Loriol-sur-Drôme – Le Sappey-en-Chartreuse, 168 km
Saturday, June 5th. Stage 7, Saint-Martin-Le-Vinoux – La Plagne, 171.5 km
Sunday, June 6. Stage 8, La Léchère-les-Bains – Les Gets 147 km