The highly anticipated clash of titans has finally commenced. In the vibrant summer of 2025, the ‘Big Three’—Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, and Remco Evenepoel—are set to face each other on French roads as they participate in the Criterium du Dauphine. This event is critical not just as a precursor to the upcoming Tour de France but also as an accurate litmus test for gauging their credentials for securing the esteemed yellow jersey in the Tour scheduled for July.
As Simon Yates engaged in a grueling battle for the pink jersey at the Giro d’Italia against Isaac del Toro and Richard Carapaz, the three podium finishers from last year’s Tour have been notably absent since May, utilizing this time for specific training at altitude in preparation for the pivotal stages of their seasons. The excitement surrounding the Dauphine, now in its 77th edition, is palpable, as it has traditionally served as a preparatory ground for the Tour. The event typically showcases many of the same challenging climbs and terrains encountered in the Tour, which usually kicks off just three weeks afterward.
It’s a rare occurrence to witness such high-caliber talent as the ‘Big Three’ converging at this stage; last year, only Evenepoel participated. If we go back two years, only Vingegaard graced the Dauphine. In fact, Pogacar last competed at the Dauphine back in 2020, finishing fourth behind Dani Martinez, Thibaut Pinot, and Guillaume Martin. This was just a month before he marked his inaugural Tour victory, sealing it with a breathtaking time-trial triumph against his compatriot Roglic at La Planche des Belles Filles.
Primoz Roglic opted to focus on the Giro d’Italia for the early summer of 2025, which meant he was always set to miss the Dauphine. His absence allows him to monitor his main rivals, gauging the readiness of the transformative duo—the ‘Big Three’—before they embark on their respective quests for Tour supremacy in July.
Spanning from June 8 to June 15, the 2025 Dauphine will be broadcast live on TNT Sports and discovery+, an eight-day spectacle encapsulating the essence of a miniature Tour de France. It showcases four hilly stages, a 17.4km individual time trial, two decisive summit finishes, and a climactic final general classification showdown that ascends above 2,000 meters at the Plateau du Mont-Cenis. Defending Tour champion Pogacar has not taken to the course since clinching his third Liege-Bastogne-Liege title, complementing an outstanding Spring Classics season that also included victories at Strade Bianche, the Tour of Flanders, and La Fleche Wallonne.
While Pogacar stands as the favorite for a fourth Tour crown come this July, formidable challenges await from both Vingegaard and Evenepoel. The Danish cyclist is eager to shake off a troublesome season and secure his third Tour victory, while Evenepoel, the double Olympic champion, aims to overcome his injury setbacks and extract every ounce of competitive energy from both rival cyclists.
Even with a recent crash during Paris-Nice, Vingegaard maintains that his condition heading into the Dauphine is “better than last year and the year before.” Meanwhile, Evenepoel, at the age of 25, reportedly comes to the competition lighter than his previous outing, although he finished over nine minutes behind Pogacar last July. The soothing thrill of competition is palpable, yet Pogacar has openly admitted that he feels a certain unease when Vingegaard shows exceptional form at the Dauphine.
Given this backdrop, the eight-day contest will serve as a pivotal barometer to measure their ambitions for the Tour de France. The stakes are not merely athletic; they are steeped in the psychological fabric of competition. The results will reveal who possesses the vital edge going into the Grand Depart in Lille—not only in terms of physical strength but also mental resilience.
If Pogacar breezes through the Dauphine, it could deliver a significant psychological blow to Vingegaard and Evenepoel, who have spent much of Pogacar’s victorious spring recuperating on the treatment table. However, if either Vingegaard or Evenepoel manages to surpass the UAE Team Emirates-XRG leader, or if they maintain a narrow margin, they may well nurture their hopes for a heated battle in July.
It’s crucial to recognize that while the spotlight shines brightly on the ‘Big Three,’ a plethora of other compelling stories will unfold during the Dauphine. Paris-Nice champion Matteo Jorgenson from Visma-Lease a Bike is returning and may get the chance to race independently should any signs of weakness emerge from Vingegaard.
Outside the podium favorites, potential challengers emerge from various teams. Spanish riders Carlos