From June 8th to 15th, the Criterium du Dauphiné sets the stage for summer’s grandest showdown—the Tour de France. In 2025, the spotlight intensifies with the presence of Tadej Pogačar, Jonas Vingegaard, and Remco Evenepoel in the mix. But before we get ahead of ourselves, all eyes now turn to stage 5, where the route tempts both sprinters and breakaway specialists.
A Test of Tactics Over Terrain
This midweek stage is anything but straightforward. Though the day opens on flat roads, it quickly transforms into a playground for opportunists with three categorized climbs: a 6.7km ascent at 5.6% (75km to go), followed by 4.7km at 5% (63km out), and finally 5.4km at 4.6% with just 28km left to ride.
These aren’t leg-breaking climbs, but they are enough to sting. They offer a window for strong rouleurs or punchy all-rounders to force splits and potentially shape a breakaway that the peloton struggles to reel back. In particular, stage hunters and classics-style riders could seize the day if the pace picks up early and cooperation falters in the bunch.
Stage 5 Odds
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| Rider | Odds |
|---|---|
| Jonathan Milan | 4.60 |
| Mathieu van der Poel | 5.00 |
| Emilien Jeanniere | 18.00 |
| Paul Penhoet | 20.00 |
| Jake Stewart | 21.00 |
| Maxim van Gils | 21.00 |
| Axel Laurance | 27.00 |
| Fred Wright | 30.00 |
| Ben Healy | 30.00 |
| Magnus Cort Nielsen | 35.00 |
| Pascal Ackermann | 35.00 |
| Stian Fredheim | 35.00 |
| Laurence Pithie | 40.00 |
| Bastien Tronchon | 40.00 |
| Romain Bardet | 40.00 |
| Tadej Pogacar | 40.00 |
The Sprint Equation and Final Kilometers
After the final climb, the road rolls gently downhill into the urban finish at Mâcon. It’s a fast finale with long straightaways and a key 180-degree corner inside the final kilometer—a technical twist that will demand sharp positioning and impeccable timing.
If the sprinters’ teams can keep things under control over the hills, this stage leans in their favor. But if the racing is aggressive, and a breakaway punches clear with the right composition, the script could flip dramatically.
Also read: Criterium du Dauphiné 2025 Full Route and Stages Breakdown
Can van der Poel Take the Maillot Jaune?
Mathieu van der Poel has the explosive power, race craft, and tactical instincts to thrive on a day like this. The rolling climbs suit his engine, and the final corner plays into his technical prowess. If he’s within striking range of yellow, a win here could well see him don the Maillot Jaune—if only temporarily, it would be a statement ahead of July.
Prediction: Mathieu van der Poel to Take the Stage
We’re backing van der Poel for the win. His versatility and race-reading ability make him the perfect rider for a stage that demands both patience and aggression. Whether from a reduced bunch sprint or a late solo move, expect fireworks from the Dutchman in Mâcon.