By Dave Campbell — As the peloton prepares for the Tour de France, several key French races held in June serve as critical tune-ups for cycling’s biggest event. Chief among them is the Critérium du Dauphiné, which runs from June 8–15 this year and features stages across the French Alps. Widely regarded as the premier preparatory race for the Tour, the Dauphiné has been a launchpad for many eventual Tour de France champions.
In addition to the Dauphiné, three smaller French stage races have historically played a role in Tour preparation, though only one remains active today. Each carries a rich legacy, with impressive rosters of past champions:
- Route d’Occitanie: Formerly known as La Route du Sud, this race began in 1977 as the Tour du Tarn, became the Tour Midi-Pyrénées in the 1980s, and was known from 1988–2017 as La Route du Sud. After a brief hiatus in 2024, it returns this year from June 18–21 under its current title.
- Grand Prix du Midi Libre: Held from 1949 to 2004, this now-defunct race once drew some of the sport’s biggest names.
- Tour de l’Aude: Active between 1957 and 1986, the Tour de l’Aude also served as a valuable preparation race for the Tour de France.
Q1. The Critérium du Dauphiné has seen more American winners than any other elite European stage race, with five Americans having claimed victory—though two of those wins were later vacated. Can you name all five?
Q2. No American ever won the Tour de l’Aude, but one English-speaking rider (referred to in the 1980s peloton as an “Anglophone”) claimed the title twice. Who was he?
Q3. Only one American ever won the Grand Prix du Midi Libre. Do you know who it was?
Q4. Two Americans have won the Route du Sud, though one title was later stripped. Can you name them?
Q5. When was the last time a rider won one of these French preparatory races and then went on to win the Tour de France in the same year?
Click to page 2 below for answers.
