The 2025 Criterium du Dauphiné enters a critical phase with Stage 6—a fierce summit finish in Combloux, a climb now etched into Tour de France lore. It was here, during the 2023 Tour time trial, that Jonas Vingegaard delivered a seismic performance, distancing Tadej Pogacar and laying the groundwork for overall victory. As history loops back to this Alpine battleground, cycling fans brace for another iconic confrontation. Will Vingegaard dominate once more? Can Pogacar rewrite the narrative? And will Remco Evenepoel defy expectations to retain yellow?
Stage 6 Route Preview
Stage 6 may not be long in distance, but its compact design packs plenty of elevation and tactical complexity. The stage begins relatively gently, setting up a suspenseful crescendo. The first significant challenge is Mont-Saxonnex—a Category 1 ascent (5.5 km at 8.6%)—topping out with 50 km to go. While steep, this climb is unlikely to be decisive; most contenders will bide their time, saving energy for the crescendo: the brutal ascent to Combloux.
Domancy and Combloux: A Duo That Punishes
The final test combines the punchy Côte de Domancy with a continued drag up to the summit in Combloux. The entire segment stretches 8.7 km at an average of just over 7%, but those numbers hide the true brutality. The Domancy section alone—2.5 km averaging 9% with sharp switchbacks—is anaerobic torture. It’s the kind of climb where rhythm is nearly impossible, attacks are punishing, and there’s no recovery after the summit.
From there, the final 7 km continue at a more forgiving 5-6%, but with intermittent ramps, it’s still a selective finale where gaps can form and grow quickly. Riders must balance power and finesse with strategic timing.
Stage 6 Odds
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| Rider | Odds |
|---|---|
| Tadej Pogacar | 2.00 |
| Jonas Vingegaard | 4.30 |
| Remco Evenepoel | 9.00 |
| Matteo Jorgenson | 19.00 |
| Santiago Buitrago | 21.00 |
| Maxim van Gils | 23.00 |
| Ben Healy | 23.00 |
| Lenny Martinez | 26.00 |
| Romain Bardet | 35.00 |
| Florian Lipowitz | 35.00 |
| Paul Seixas | 40.00 |
| Tobias Johannessen | 50.00 |
| Alex Baudin | 70.00 |
| Magnus Cort Nielsen | 80.00 |
Top Contenders for the Win
As the first of three mountain stages, Combloux sets the tone—but don’t expect a conservative day in the saddle. The climb’s profile demands explosive moves, and few riders are as suited to this terrain as Tadej Pogacar. If his form holds, expect an early signal of intent.
Vingegaard, meanwhile, has history and experience on his side. He knows how to ride this climb to devastating effect. His steady but relentless approach could grind down rivals once again.
Evenepoel enters the stage as a wildcard. He’s trimmed down and looks sharp, but questions linger following a minor crash today. Can he sustain his GC lead under sustained pressure, or will the fireworks of Pogacar and Vingegaard prove too much?