2025 Critérium du Dauphiné – Ranking the contenders

Where to begin with Tadej Pogačar? Let’s be clear that he is the main favourite by a significant margin. That is no disrespect to Jonas Vingegaard, it’s simply about the circumstances that both riders have endured heading into Critérium du Dauphiné. Pogačar’s 2025 has been phenomenal, wiping the floor with his opposition in complete dominance, the late Amstel Gold Race surprise notwithstanding. The final three stages should be a great test for Pogačar and his UAE Team Emirates-XRG teammates to ensure they are well drilled for the Tour de France.

Pogačar cannot be ruled out of the equation for a top result in the time trial on stage 4 either. He rediscovered his time trialling mojo in 2024, and this will be a very useful exercise ahead of the Tour. Incidentally, this marks Pogačar first Critérium du Dauphine participation since 2020, when he placed fourth. The Tour is the main goal, but he will be looking to add this to his collection.

The ‘aero bullet’ Remco Evenepoel had his early 2025 plans turned upside down after a training accident, suffering with fractures to his rib, right shoulder blade and his hand. On his return to competition in April, Evenepoel hit the jackpot of victory instantly, beating Wout van Aert in a mano a mano at De Brabantse Pijl, and then delivering a race MVP at Amstel Gold Race, hunting down Pogačar in the finale. 

Evenepoel came back down to earth at Liège-Bastogne-Liège, and he used the subsequent Tour de Romandie as a training exercise, mindful of his lack of race condition. He still won the time trial and placed 5th overall, all while embracing his role of domestique for William Lecerf.

The individual time trial on stage 4 will be a big test for Evenepoel. At 100% fitness, he would be the strong favourite for this stage. If he does enough to take yellow there, it will be very intriguing to see his plan of action again Pogačar and Vingegaard in the high mountains.

Jonas Vingegaard comes into the Critérium du Dauphiné off the back of a really difficult period after suffering from a concussion after his heavy fall, which caused him to abandon Paris-Nice. Vingegaard spent a lot of time off the bike in that period of the time due to the concussion, but he has gradually returned to full training.  The return of Vingegaard vs Pogačar is a treat for cycling fans around the globe, but there are doubts over Vingegaard’s shape remains and it remains to be seen if he can reach Pogačar’s level after a period of time off the bike. After his miraculous comeback in 2024, Vingegaard is never to be written off to.

For Vingegaard, the Critérium du Dauphiné is largely an exercise in building up his race condition heading towards the Tour de France, but it still wouldn’t be a surprise if he was able to win a second Critérium du Dauphiné.

Matteo Jorgenson is likely to be the alternative option for Team Visma | Lease a Bike behind Vingegaard. At Paris-Nice, Jorgenson stepped up to plate and won the race following Vingegaard’s abandon, and he might find himself in a similar position here if the Dane is still lacking in race sharpness after his lay-off. 

After his second place last year, Matteo will also be looking to go one better and finish on the top step of the podium of the Critérium du Dauphiné, adding to the solid foundations of his professional cycling career so far. The time trial on stage 4, although relatively short, might decide who is the leader this week at Team Visma | Lease a Bike.

A man who has been in fine form over the past months in pastures new. Lenny Martinez claimed a stage win at the Tour de Romandie at Thyon 2000 ahead of João Almeida before going on to finish second overall.

Martinez comes into the Critérium du Dauphiné with confidence. In the hillier or mountain stages, Martinez shines in reduced group situations, with a phenomenal punch. With this in mind, Martinez is a particular rider to watch for the opening stage, due to the small kickers located near the finish.