Farewell Critérium du Dauphiné, greetings Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes - Significant name shift for French stage race
Tadej Pogačar will go down in history as the last winner of the legendary Critérium du Dauphiné, a prestigious stage race that will bear a fresh moniker, Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, from 2026 onwards. This change reflects the region the race now traverses and the heartfelt support it receives.
ASO, the race organizer, unveiled the new logo alongside the name and announced that the event will still be held between June 7-14 next year. Despite the rebrand, it'll remain a crucial precursor to the Tour de France.
The Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, one of France's 18 administrative areas, encompasses territory from the Massif Central to the high Alps. With Lyon as its regional capital and a population of eight million, the region offers an engaging backdrop for the race.
First birthed in 1947 by the regional Dauphiné Libéré newspaper, the race was eventually absorbed by ASO in 2010. In recent years, the race has started in the west of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, with memorable stages passing through iconic cycling towns like Montluçon and Brioude before ascending into the Alps.
ASO recognizes the importance of local backing for the race’s continued evolution, celebrating the opportunity to explore the Massif Central and create an even more intriguing competition. Christian Prudhomme, ASO Cycling Director, stated,
The region, in turn, offers an assortment of landscapes showcasing the region’s diversity whilst drawing the finest cyclists in the world to pit their skills against the demanding terrain.
- The Critérium du Dauphiné, now known as the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, will maintain its significant role as a precursor to the Tour de France, providing a challenging terrain for the world's finest cyclists.
- As the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes traverses various landscapes within the region, it not only reflects its territorial roots but also offers an engaging backdrop for the prestigious stage race, celebrating the diversity and passion for cycling that the region embodies.
