In the final day of the Critérium du Dauphiné the riders head north. It’s the queen stage some would say, as it features a very tough summit finish, but overall the stage is hard from start to finish with 3700 meters of climbing packed into less than 140 kilometers.
This will be the final and decisive day for the overall classifications as the riders will have their final opportunity to make the difference.
Stage 7: Saint-Alban-Leysse - Plateau de Solaison, 139Km
It all kicks of with the Col de Plainpalais which will be climbed straight from the startline. Not a brutal ascent but it’s sure to see the climbers form a strong breakaway group, and possible raid attempts as the first hour of racing has potential to be furious.
Col de Plainpalais: 8.9Km; 6.6% average gradient; 131Km to go
The penultimate climb of the day will be the Col de la Colombière. It summits with 38.5 kilometers to go and should see the pace high in order to set things up for the final ascent; with 11.9 kilometers at 5.8% average gradient.
Col de la Colombière: 11.9Km; 5.8% average gradient; 38Km to go
The Plateau de Solaison though is where the riders will conclude the Critérium du Dauphiné. It’s a brutal ascent, with no rest from start to finish; it averages 9.2% for 11.3 kilometers, and it’s a double-digit ascent right from it’s base. Big gaps can be made, and the race won’t be sealed until the riders managed to drag themselves across the line.
Plateau de Solaison: 11.3Km; 9.2% average gradient
CyclingUpToDate prediction:
**** Primoz Roglic
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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Brucegel14-11-2026 - I live in Maribor.PogiSloFans14-11-2026
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