- For the type of cycling race see Criterium
The Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré is an annual cycling road race, run over eight stages in the Dauphiné region in France during the first half of June. It is organised by the Le Dauphiné Libéré newspaper. Along with the Tour de Suisse, the Dauphiné Libéré is an important race in the lead-up to the Tour de France in July.
Because the Dauphiné is a mountainous area, the winners are often climbing specialists. Many climbs that are famous from the Tour de France, like the Mont Ventoux, the Col du Galibier or Col de la Chartreuse appear often in the Dauphiné Libéré.
All cyclists who have won the Tour de France five times or more have also won the Dauphiné Libéré.
The first Dauphiné Libéré was held in 1947 when Eduard Klablinski from Poland was the winner. Nello Lauredi, Luis Ocaña, Charly Mottet and Bernard Hinault share the record of the most wins, with three each.
Iban Mayo won in 2004, when he climbed Mont Ventoux very quickly. In the 2005 Dauphiné the winner was Iñigo Landaluze, of the Euskaltel-Euskadi team.
Winners
1947 to 1999
After 1999
Other websites
