Critérium du Dauphiné 2025: Preview stage 8: Grand finale in the mountains

Stage 8 of the Critérium du Dauphine 2025 at a glance

• Route length: 133.3 kilometres
• Altitude metres: 3540
• Start: Val d'Arc
• Destination: Plateau du Mont-Cenis
• TV: 15:15-17:30 Eurosport 2
• Live stream: Discovery Plus (fee required)
• The 8th stage in the live ticker
• All stages of the Critérium du Dauphiné 2025 at a glance

The Critérium du Dauphiné 2025 ends on 15 June with a challenging mountain stage. The 133.3-kilometre final stage leads from Val-d'Arc to the Plateau du Mont-Cenis and features a total of 3,540 metres of climbing. After the queen stage the day before with the mountain arrival in Valmeinier 1800, the riders are facing another tough day in the Alps. The final climb to Mont-Cenis could bring the final decision in the battle for overall victory.

The first half of the race is initially undulating through the Maurienne valley. After just 4.7 kilometres, the first categorised climb of the day awaits with the Côte d'Aiton (1.2 kilometres at 8.8 per cent). This is followed by the Côtes de Saint-Georges-d'Hurtières (kilometre 15.3; 4.7 kilometres at 7.1 per cent) and the Col de Beaune (kilometre 66.7; 6.6 kilometres at 6.8 per cent).

Decision on the final climb

After a short intermediate climb at Saint-André (kilometre 88; 2.5 kilometres at 7.6 per cent) and the Côte d'Aussois (kilometre 101.1; 6.3 kilometres at 6.2 per cent), the riders reach the foot of the final climb. The Col du Mont-Cenis stretches over 9.6 kilometres with an average gradient of 6.9 per cent. The stage finish is located on the plateau at an altitude of over 2000 metres. This is where the winner of the 77th edition of the Critérium du Dauphiné will be decided.

Tactical considerations

The stage offers various tactical options. Breakaway riders could try to break away early and save a lead to the finish. The favourites for overall victory are likely to save their energy for the final climb. Here you can expect attacks from the classification riders, who still have to make up time gaps. The decisive factor could be how many helpers the captains still have to support them.

The climbs of stage 8 at a glance

• Côte d'Aiton: - Length: 1.2 kilometres - Average gradient: 8.8% - Category: 3
• Côtes de Saint-Georges-d'Hurtières: - Length: 4.7 kilometres - Average gradient: 7.1% - Category: 2
• Col de Beaune: - Length: 6.6 kilometres - Average gradient: 6.8% - Category: 1
• Côte de Saint-André: - Length: 2.5 kilometres - Average gradient: 7.6% - Category: 3
• Côte d'Aussois: - Length: 6.3 kilometres - Average gradient: 6.2% - Category: 2
• Col du Mont-Cenis: - Length: 9.6 kilometres - Average gradient: 6.9% - Category: 1