From 2026, one of the most emblematic races of the international cycling calendar will change its name, according to Europa Press. Critérium du Dauphiné, traditionally considered the great prelude of the Tour de France, will be called Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes Tourin reference to the French region that welcomes this demanding and mountainous test every year.
Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes tour
The announcement was made after the 2025 edition of the race, in which the Slovenian Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) was corroded champion. With this change of denomination, the organizers and the regional authorities They seek to reinforce the territorial bond and give greater international visibility to the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes regionwhose landscapes and ports They have been the usual scenario of the Dauphiné since its creation in 1947.
The Slovenian takes the general and the Frenchman wins alone attacking from the escape
According to Europa Press, the new name responds to a Territorial promotion strategy promoted by the regionmain partner of the race. Although the test will maintain its sports structure and privileged place in the WorldTour calendar, The change of identity will mean a new stage for a competition which has historically served as a test bank for the candidates for the Tour de France.
Tour Auvergne Rhone Alpes, the new name of the race.
Critérium du Dauphiné has seen great cycling legends win as Bernard Hinault, Miguel Indurain, Chris Froome Y Primaz Roglic. Its route has been characterized by being an excellent thermometer to measure The form of form of the favorites before the great Boucle.
In its origins, the race was developed only within the dissemination area of the local newspaper that founded it, I will free it. With the change of name, The new Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes tour seeks to project the identity of the region more strongly that houses it, reinforcing its presence on the map of international cycling.
