The Route — Criterium du Dauphine
The Criterium du Dauphine runs roughly eight stages in June across the mountainous southeast of France, in and around the Alps. The terrain decides everything: heavy climbing days and an individual time trial settle the general classification, with a handful of flatter stages left for the sprinters. Read the parcours first, then read the markets.
The parcours
Expect around eight stages staged through the Dauphine region in mid-June, much of it in and around the Alps. The week typically opens on rolling or flatter terrain, builds through one or more serious mountain stages with high passes and summit or near-summit finishes, and includes an individual time trial that lets the strongest all-rounders gain or defend time. A few stages stay open for the fast men, so the route splits cleanly into climbing days, the TT, and sprint chances.
The exact order and the specific climbs change every year, so always check the current edition's stage list before betting. What stays constant is the shape: mountains and a time trial do the heavy lifting, and the rest is opportunity for breakaways and sprinters. For market-by-market detail see Criterium du Dauphine stage winner betting.
What it means for betting
The general classification is decided on cumulative time across the whole race, so the overall winner is almost always a rider who can climb with the best and hold his own against the clock in the time trial. Pure sprinters and pure climbers rarely top the GC here; the all-rounder profile does. That is the rider type to back for the outright — more on that in Criterium du Dauphine overall winner.
The race also sits in similar Alpine terrain to the Tour de France just weeks before it, which is why the same names recur. Its June sibling, the Tour de Suisse, serves a near-identical role. If you are new to the markets, start with cycling bet types and how to bet on cycling. Back to the Criterium du Dauphine overview anytime.
Frequently asked questions
How many stages does the Criterium du Dauphine have?
Around eight, run over about a week in June. The mix usually includes serious mountain stages, an individual time trial and a few flatter days for the sprinters. Check the current edition's stage list, as the route changes each year.
Which stages decide the overall winner?
The mountain stages and the individual time trial. The general classification is settled on cumulative time, so a rider needs to both climb with the leaders and ride a solid time trial to win overall. Flatter stages rarely change the GC.