The Critérium du Dauphiné opens with a complicated stage, however one that is quite open to many different types of riders. The first day takes the riders into Beauchastel, with 2500 meters of climbing and a tricky final loop to tackle. There is an uphill start which may see a strong breakaway go up the road as happens from time to time, and it may not be easy to bring back a yellow-jersey seeking group.
It is a day that suits the sprinters, however those that have some climbing abilities, to which there are some at the startlist. However it's not an easy day to control.
Stage 1: La Voulte-sur-Rhône - Beauchastel, 192.5 kilometers
The main feature of the day is an ascent that will be tackled twice. It is the Col du Moulin à Vent, not a brutal climb but certainly one where the pure sprinters will struggle if the pace is something other than calm. That’s unlikely to happen though, it summits with 94 and 31 kilometers to go. It’s a climb of two halves with gradients above the 4% average, and the descent into Privas is technical – favours attacks.
Col du Moulin à Vent: 10.2Km; 4.0% average gradient; 94 & 31Km to go
If the attacks aren’t strong enough though, there are still very significant chances of a bunch sprint – perhaps reduced – to occur. The final kilometers are not technical and they also do not feature any gradient that is noteworthy.
Stage 1 Finale
CyclingUpToDate prediction:
**** Wout van Aert
Rúben SilvaEditor-in-Chief
A founding contributor to CyclingUpToDate since its launch in January 2022, Ruben Silva has played a central role in shaping the site’s editorial direction and long-term growth. Before joining the project, he built his experience through independent blogging at Echelons Hub and by producing race previews for Ciclismo Internacional, developing a strong analytical voice rooted in daily engagement with professional cycling.
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Originally from the Porto metropolitan area in Portugal, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography. His path into cycling journalism was shaped not through formal media training, but through independent reporting, community engagement, and sustained on-the-ground involvement in the sport.
Over the course of his career, he has conducted approximately 100 interviews across road cycling and cyclocross, ranging from one-to-one conversations and online formats to press conferences and on-site pre- and post-race coverage. His interviews include leading riders, team managers, and prominent figures within cycling media: Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, Mathieu van der Poel, Primoz Roglic, Wout van Aert, Joao Almeida and Tom Pidcock; managers like Patrick Lefevere and Joxean Matxin; and YouTube personality Bryan Kennedy (BKXC)...
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parisbound0008-11-2026 - there needs to be space in life for pointless comments!Ketterechts08-11-2026
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