Tadej Pogačar received the ultimate version of the Critérium du Dauphiné with the race set to be rebranded because the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes from 2026, the Amaury Sports activities Organisation (ASO) introduced on Monday afternoon.
First run in 1947, the Critérium du Dauphiné has develop into a key build-up race to the Tour de France, sometimes going down simply weeks earlier than the Grand Départ annually. It was beforehand often called the Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré till 2009, named after a newspaper that beforehand sponsored the race within the native space.
In a launch to the media saying new identify, race organiser ASO mentioned the change was a part of a “lengthy standing collaboration” between the host area of France and the organiser, and was the “logical subsequent step” within the relationship.
“The Critérium du Dauphiné was created in 1947 by a regional newspaper in love with biking and has since grown in sync with the roads and slopes which have formed its historical past. Buoyed by the steadfast backing of the Area, it’s going to now develop into the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, taking up a brand new identify that leaves little doubt in regards to the regional roots of the race.
“As we noticed on this version, the area boasts a vibrant palette of landscapes and attracts the most effective riders on the planet with a problem that takes their breath away in each sense,” Christian Prudhomme, ASO’s Director of Biking and Tour de France race director, is reported to have mentioned.
In addition to Pogačar, earlier winners of the Dauphiné embody a number of Tour de France winners together with Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault, Chris Froome, Sir Bradley Wiggins, Geraint Thomas and Jonas Vingegaard. The late Brian Robinson additionally received the race in 1961.
“It is a nice supply of satisfaction for us,” Fabrice Pannekoucke, president of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes area mentioned. “As one of the vital anticipated occasions on the worldwide calendar, this race is above all a gathering of high champions and the elite of the worldwide peloton, simply weeks earlier than the Tour de France.
“The Area is proud to be the principle accomplice of such a contest, a real flagship of our dedication to supporting biking.”
