In a thrilling sixth stage of the 2025 Critérium du Dauphiné, eight cyclists broke away after 30 kilometers of racing on Friday, June 13. The stage kicked off in Valserhône with numerous attempts at forming an escape, with Mathieu van der Poel from Alpecin-Deceuninck actively participating from the very beginning.
As the race progressed, Van der Poel joined other notable cyclists in the breakaway, including Michael Leonard (Ineos Grenadiers), Bruno Armirail (Décathlon AG2R La Mondiale), Alex Baudin (EF Education-Easypost), Andreas Leknessund (Uno-X Mobility), Romain Bardet (Picnic PostNL), Pierre Thierry (Arkéa-B&B Hotels), and Anthony Turgis (TotalEnergies). Their lead quickly stretched to over two minutes, setting the stage for an exciting contest.
The 6th stage covers a challenging 126.7 kilometers route that climbs from Valserhône to Combloux. Riders are faced with a mountainous profile leading to an uphill finish at the Côte de Domancy, known for its steep 2.5 kilometers at a gradient of 9.3%. This stage is critical for the general classification contenders, as Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step) must fend off strong challenges from competitors like Jonas Vingegaard and Tadej Pogacar.
This stage is not just a test of endurance, but also strategic prowess as cyclists aim for podium finishes while navigating tough terrain. As fans tune in for live coverage on France Télévisions and Eurosport, the anticipation builds for what promises to be an enthralling battle in the high altitude.