We already quoted Shakespeare when announcing another name change during the 2026 Spring Classics, so we’ll just get to the point this time.
After nearly eight decades of history, the Criterium du Dauphiné now will be known as the Tour Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes, and while the name might be different, the intent remains the same – get the fans, riders and teams ready for the upcoming Tour de France 2026 and showcase one of France's most beautiful areas.
The Tour Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes 2026 will be the 78th edition of the race and will take place from June 7-14. Viewers in Canada can catch all the action live on FloBikes and the FloSports app.
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The name change is a nod to the region of France that has long supported the event and a general growth in popularity and participation in cycling.
The race was held for the first time in 1947, created by the Dauphiné Libéré newspaper, with the route originally limited to the periodical’s distribution area.
From 1947 through 2009, it was known as the Criterium du Dauphiné Libéré. From 2010 until 2025, the race simply was known as the Criterium du Dauphiné.
As the event evolved, so too did the terrain used to challenge many of the sport’s top competitors year after year.
Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes covers nearly 70,000 kilometers of the south of France and features 12 departments, all of which have hosted stages of the storied race.
The vastness of the region, and the diversity of the landscape, give organizers countless options when designing the route each year.
For those headed to the Tour de France 2026 in July, there might be some overlap in the course features, either from this year’s Tour Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes, or from past editions.
Among the familiar names headed to Tour Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes 2026 are early favorite Paul Seixas, a 19-year-old sensation from France, and Mexican star Isaac Del Toro, who had a breakout performance at the Giro d’Italia in 2025.
The field also will include Canada’s Hugo Houle, Ireland’s Ben Healy, Spaniards Juan Ayuso, Pello Bilbao and Carlos Rodriguez, Kevin Vauquelin of France, Australians Michael Matthews and Luke Plapp and many more riders to watch.
Slovenian superstar Tadej Pogacar, who won the last official running of the Criterium du Dauphiné in 2025, won’t be back to defend his title, as he has opted for the five-stage Tour de Suisse from June 17-21.
The other competitor most will be glad not to see line up at the Tour Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes is Jonas Vingegaard, who just wrapped up the Giro d’Italia 2026, where he became the eighth rider in history to win all three Grand Tours at least once.
In all, there will be 22 teams and well over 100 riders, though the start list has not yet been finalized.
About The Route For The Tour Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes 2026
The eight stages of the Tour Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes 2026 will cover more than 1,200 kilometers. The longest day (Stage 2) will be followed by the shortest (Stage 3) at 234.3 and 28.4 kilometers, respectively.
Riders will encounter four mountain stages, including the last three days, three hilly rides and one team time trial.
Here’s a look at the schedule, host cities and route for the race:
Tour Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes 2026 Schedule
- Stage 1 - June 7: Vizille - Saint-Ismier (146.2km)
- Stage 2 - June 8: Saint-Martin-Le-Vinoux - Le Puy-en-Velay (234.3km)
- Stage 3 (TTT) - June 9: Perreux - Perreux (28.4km)
- Stage 4 - June 10: Le Puy-en-Velay - Montrond-Les-Bains (167.4km)
- Stage 5 - June 11: Saint-Chamond - Villars-Les-Dombes (195.8km)
- Stage 6 - June 12: Saint-Vulbas - Crest-Voland (182.3km)
- Stage 7 - June 13: La Bridoire - Grand Colombier (133.6km)
- Stage 8 - June 14: Beaufort - Plateau de Solaison (120.1km)
Tour Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes History
Four riders in history – Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault and Miguel Indurain – have won the Tour de France five times, and all four are on the list of winners at the Tour-adjacent Tour Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes.
In the previous 77 editions of the Tour Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes, a rider from France has won 30 times, with Spain next on the list with 10 victories.
Five riders have won a chart-topping three times, with Frenchman Hinault among them.
A dozen riders, including Anquetil in 1963, Merckx in 1971, Hinault in 1979 and 1981 and Indurain in 1995, have won the Tour Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes and Tour de France in the same year.
More recently, Vingegaard and Pogacar became the latest to achieve the feat, doing so in 2023 and 2025, respectively.
And, just like the Tour de France, the leader of the General Classification at the Tour Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes earns the right to wear a yellow jersey.
How To Watch The Tour Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes (Criterium du Dauphiné) 2026
The Tour Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes (Criterium du Dauphiné) 2026 is streaming on FloBikes and the FloSports app for viewers in Canada.
Highlights, replays and breaking news will be available on both platforms.
Fans in the United States can watch on NBC Sports.
Here are the estimated start and finish times for each stage:
Schedule For The Tour Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes (Criterium du Dauphiné) 2026
All Times Eastern
- Stage 1 – 5:15 a.m.-9 a.m.
- Stage 2 – 5:30 a.m.-11:05 a.m.
- Stage 3 – 9:05 a.m.-11:02 a.m.
- Stage 4 – 7:15 a.m.-11:10 a.m.
- Stage 5 – 6:45 a.m.-11:05 a.m.
- Stage 6 – 6:45 a.m.-11:05 a.m.
- Stage 7 – 6:25 a.m.-10 a.m.
- Stage 8 – 6:30 a.m.-10 a.m.
Daily start times for the FloBikes live coverage will be available here.
Who Won The Tour Auvergne Rhone Alpes (Criterium du Dauphiné) In 2025?
Pogacar, who won the Tour de France in 2020, 2021, 2024 and 2025, was dominant in the final edition of the Criterium du Dauphiné before the name change.
German Florian Lipowitz completed the podium, 2 minutes, 38 seconds behind Pogacar, while Belgium's Remco Evenepoel was fourth, 4 minutes, 21 seconds off the lead.
Watch Tadej Pogacar Fetch Bottle Before Attacking In Critérium du Dauphiné 2025
Tadej Pogacar doubles as a delivery man, grabbing a bottle for his teammate, shortly before riding away and delivering a Stage 7 victory at the Critérium du Dauphiné 2025.
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