The Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré is an annual cycling road race, run over eight stages in the Dauphiné region in France during the first half of June. It is organised by the Le Dauphiné Libéré newspaper. Along with the Tour of Switzerland, the Dauphiné Libéré is an important race in the lead-up to the Tour de France in July. Dauphiné is a former province in southeastern France, roughly corresponding to the present départements of the Isère, Drôme, and Hautes-Alpes. ... Luis Ocaña (June 9, 1945 - May 19, 1994) was a Spanish cyclist who won the Tour de France in 1973. ... Bernard Hinault (born 14 November 1954) is a French cyclist best known for his five victories in the Tour de France. ... Cycling is a recreation, a sport, and a means of transport across land. ... Road bicycle racing is a popular bicycle racing sport held on the road (following the geography of the area), using racing bicycles. ... Dauphiné is a former province in southeastern France, roughly corresponding to the present départements of the Isère, Drôme, and Hautes-Alpes. ... The Tour of Switzerland (Tour de Suisse) is a ProTour bicycle race held annually in June. ... The (Le) Tour de France (French for Tour of France), also simply known as Le Tour, is an epic long distance road bicycle racing competition for professionals held over three weeks in July in and around France. ...

Because the Dauphiné is a mountainous area, the winners are often climbing specialists. Many climbs that are famous from the Tour de France, like the Mont Ventoux, the Col du Galibier or Col de la Chartreuse appear often in the Dauphiné Libéré. All cyclists who have won the Tour de France 5 or more times have also won the Dauphiné Libéré. A climbing specialist is a road bicycle racer who can ride especially well on highly inclined roads, like on hills or mountains. ... The (Le) Tour de France (French for Tour of France), also simply known as Le Tour, is an epic long distance road bicycle racing competition for professionals held over three weeks in July in and around France. ... Mont Ventoux is a mountain in the south of France . ... The Col du Galibier is a mountain pass in the southern region of the French Alps. ...

The first Dauphiné Libéré was held in 1947. Eduard Klablinski from Poland was the first winner. Nello Lauredi, Luis Ocaña, Charly Mottet and Bernard Hinault share the record of the most wins, with 3 each. Current Tour champion Lance Armstrong won the Dauphiné in 2002 and 2003, but in 2004 he was defeated by Iban Mayo, primarily by Mayo’s strong climb of Mont Ventoux. Armstrong finished 4th in the 2005 Dauphiné, finishing 59 seconds off the pace of overall winner Inigo Landaluze, of the Euskaltel-Euskadi squad. 1947 was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). ... Luis Ocaña (June 9, 1945 - May 19, 1994) was a Spanish cyclist who won the Tour de France in 1973. ... Bernard Hinault (born 14 November 1954) is a French cyclist best known for his five victories in the Tour de France. ... Lance Armstrong (born September 18, 1971) is an American cyclist from Plano, Texas. ... Iban Mayo Diez (born August 19, 1977, in Igorre, in the Basque region of Spain) is a professional bicycle racer. ... Mont Ventoux is a mountain in the south of France . ...

External links

• Official website (http://www.criterium.ledauphine.com/)