What Is 2007 Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré

Overview

The 2007 Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré was an elite professional cycling stage race held in the Rhône-Alpes region of southeastern France. As part of the UCI ProTour, it attracted top-tier teams and riders preparing for the upcoming Tour de France, making it a critical benchmark for form and fitness.

The race spanned eight days and included a mix of flat stages, mountain climbs, and a time trial, testing all aspects of a rider’s abilities. Its challenging route and high-level competition made it one of the most respected stage races on the cycling calendar.

• Stage Count: The 2007 edition featured 8 stages, beginning in Saint-Vulbas and concluding in La Toussuire, covering a total of 1,207 kilometers.
• Winner: American rider Levi Leipheimer of the Gerolsteiner team claimed the overall victory with a time of 29h 37' 17', marking his first major stage race win.
• Runner-up:Alberto Contador finished second, just 36 seconds behind Leipheimer, showcasing his climbing prowess in the Alps.
• Time Trial: Stage 5 was an individual 42.4 km time trial from Saint-Étienne to Saint-Étienne, which Leipheimer won decisively.
• Mountains: The final stage included a summit finish at La Toussuire (1,678 meters), a key battleground for GC contenders.

How It Works

The Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré is structured as a multi-stage race where riders accumulate time across various stages to determine the overall winner. Each stage presents unique challenges, and performances are tracked through multiple classifications.

• General Classification (GC): Awarded to the rider with the lowest cumulative time across all stages; worn with the yellow jersey. Levi Leipheimer led this classification after Stage 5.
• Mountains Classification: Points are earned at categorized climbs; the leader wears the polka-dot jersey. In 2007, this was won by David de la Fuente.
• Points Classification: Awarded to the most consistent sprinter; the green jersey was claimed by Óscar Freire, who won two stages.
• Young Rider Classification: For riders under 25; the white jersey was won by Alberto Contador, highlighting his emerging talent.
• Team Classification: Based on the combined times of the top three riders per team each day; CSC finished first overall.
• Stage Wins: A total of 8 stages were contested, with winners including Freire, Gusev, and Vande Walle.

Comparison at a Glance

The 2007 edition compared closely with prior years in structure and prestige, serving as a key Tour de France tune-up.

This table highlights how different classifications were distributed across teams and riders. The 2007 race emphasized climbing and time-trialing, with Leipheimer’s consistency and Contador’s aggression defining the final standings.

Why It Matters

The 2007 Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré was more than a standalone race—it was a strategic preview of Tour de France ambitions. Top riders used it to gauge form, test tactics, and build team cohesion ahead of July’s grand tour.

• Tour de France Indicator: Historically, 7 of the last 10 Dauphiné winners went on to podium at the Tour, making Leipheimer’s win a significant statement.
• Contador’s Rise: His second-place finish signaled his arrival as a Grand Tour contender, confirmed later that year with a Tour win.
• Team Strategy: Teams like CSC and Discovery Channel used the race to test leadership roles and pacing in high mountains.
• Media Exposure: Broadcast across Europe, the race provided valuable sponsorship visibility for teams and sponsors.
• Course Design: The mix of time trials and Alpine climbs mirrored the 2007 Tour de France route, offering realistic preparation.
• Legacy: Leipheimer’s win marked a rare American victory in a European stage race, boosting U.S. cycling’s profile post-Armstrong era.

Ultimately, the 2007 edition reinforced the Dauphiné’s status as a proving ground for cycling’s elite, blending competition, strategy, and spectacle in one week of racing.