Critérium du Dauphiné 2021 Route stage 1: Issoire - Issoire

Sunday 30 May - The Critérium du Dauphiné opens with a lumpy race of 181.8 kilometres. Almost all classified hills are packed together in a 37.5 kilometers circuit that's tackled three times.

After an undulating opener of 71.5 kilometers the riders are back where they started - in Issoire - to enter the circuit. The last 15 kilometres of each lap feature two climbs. First the Côte de Château de Buron (3.2 kilometres at 6.8%) and then the Col de la Croix des Gardes (1.6 kilometres at 5.1%). As the top of the first hill coincides with the base of the second one could argue that it's actually one combined climb of almost 5 kilometres.

The riders reach the summit of the Croix des Gardes 12 kilometres before the finish line. Most of the remainder goes downhill until the last 3 kilometres are flat.

Issoire is not a regular host of pro-cycling stages - in fact, it's quite the opposite. The Tour de France finished only once in the town at the confluence of the River Allier and the Couze Pavin, just south of Clermont-Ferrand.

The first three riders on the line gain time bonuses of 10, 6 and 4 seconds, while the intermediate sprint comes with 3, 2 and 1 seconds.

Another interesting read: results 1st stage 2021 Critérium du Dauphiné.