As it happened: Star-studded late breakaway makes it to the line on dramatic Critérium du Dauphiné stage 1

Bonjour and welcome to Cyclingnews' live coverage of the opening stage of this year's Critérium du Dauphiné!

The Dauphiné is always one of the most anticipated one-week stage races of the season, as one of the key form-markers for the Tour de France, but it's even more special in 2025, with all of Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG), Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) and Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-QuickStep) all taking the start.

It's the first time we get to see the collective winners of the past five Tours, Pogačar and Vingegaard, race since last season's French Grand Tour. It will be a duel when they get to the mountains, but it was all smiles at the start in Domérat.

Two riders are making a move - Paul Ourselin of Cofidis and Pierre Thierry of Arkea-B&B Hotels have managed to open up a 20-second gap.

Lidl-Trek are driving the chase behind.

Our two French riders have been allowed up the road and the bunch have settled in to the race, with Lidl-Trek leading the pack on behalf of their sprinter, Jonathan Milan. They've been joined by Israel-Premier Tech, who have Pascal Ackermann among their number for today's expected sprint finish in Montluçon.

Now the race situation has settled down, let's take a look at what's on the menu for the peloton today in terms of the course.

It's expected to be a day for the sprinters, despite a series of climbing challenges in the latter part of the day. Currently, the peloton is covering a long, relatively flat section of the course, which takes up around the first 100 kilometres on the profile.

From there, the race takes in seven category 4 climbs along the way to the finish line. The first two are the longest, before enter a circuit around Montluçon, so if some of the bunch find themselves losing touch they may have time to get back to the group ahead of the fight for the stage victory.

170km to go

The race situation is stable currently, with Lidl-Trek in control of the pace-setting. The breakaway duo have a gap of 3:20 on the peloton.

Puncture for Pascal Ackermann (Israel-Premier Tech). 

As for the week ahead, it's set to offer a fascinating insight into the form of the three top favourites for this year's Tour de France, with just four weeks to go before Le Grand Départ in Lille. 

Pogačar, Vingegaard and Evenepoel have all been cagey in their response to the media ahead of the race, and with Vingegaard not having raced since his crash in Catalunya in April, Pogačar not racing since the conclusion of the Ardennes Classics, and Evenepoel since the Tour of Romandie it will be interesting to see how each approaches the race.

In terms of the route, as always the Critérium du Dauphiné offers a variety of stages, backloaded with mountain challenges. Following today's undulating stage, which is expected to end in a sprint, tomorrow's hilly stage is slightly tougher, and could potentially present an opportunity for a breakaway.

The same applies to stage 3, another hilly stage with a series of climbs that could separate the bunch and potentially invite early action in the general classification. Stage 4 is an individual time trial, while stage 5's profile is one of two halves - first flat, then hilly - a reduced bunch sprint seems the most likely outcome.

Stage 6 sees the race's first summit finish into Combloux, before the Queen Stage a day later which takes in a series of classic Alpine passes - the Cols de la Madeleine and Croix de Fer, and finishing on the Valmeinier 1800. 

The concluding stage finishes atop the Col du Mont-Cenis, and by then, we will have a clearer picture of what we can perhaps expect in a month's time at Le Tour.

The peloton have deemed the breakaway were a little too far out of reach for their liking, so they've reeled them back to 3:00.

The gap holds steady at 3:00 as Matis Louvel (Israel-Premier Tech) and Amanuel Ghebreigzabhier (Lidl-Trek) lead the bunch behind.

150km to go

Our breakaway pair are both debutants at the Dauphiné this year. Paul Ourselin is 31 years old, and has yet to win in his pro career. He joined Cofidis at the beginning of this season, having spent his entire professional career prior to that with TotalEnergies.

Pierre Thierry is 22 years old. He turned pro with Arkéa-B&B Hotels last September, after being promoted from their continental team. He too has yet to record a professional victory.

With 144km remaining, the gap has reduced to just 2:00 - the peloton are in danger of catching the break too soon, so may look to ease back on the tempo.

50 kilometres down, and the gap continues to come down, dipping just below two minutes.

The average pace for the first hour of racing was 42km/h.

The gap drifts back out to 2:25 as the riders tackle a short uncategorised climb on today's slightly undulating profile.

Today's stage takes place wholly in central France, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.

The peloton seem to have realised that there's still a very long way to go, and have relaxed the pace somewhat, allowing the French duo at the head of the race to extend their lead back out to almost three minutes.

140km to go

It should also be noted that this is the final race in the career of Romain Bardet (Team Picnic-PostNL). The beloved French rider announced last year that 2025 would be his final season, and rather unconventionally, he opted to conclude his career mid-season, on his home roads at the Dauphiné. 

It will doubtless be a poignant and emotional week for Bardet and for the legion of fans both in his home nation and beyond, who have supported him on his 13 year pro career.

The gap has pushed back out over three minutes and now stands at 3:05 between the leading duo of Ourselin and Thierry, and the pursuing bunch.

130km to go

While the stage has continued at a steady pace so far, the complexion of the race will change somewhat as the bunch turns west and begins to head back north towards the finish. 

The seven categorised climbs of the day will draw out riders seeking points in the KOM competition, and may encourage teams without pure sprinters in their ranks to try and increase the pace in order to make the race hard for the likes of Jonathan Milan and Pascal Ackermann. The first of those climbs comes with 88km to go, in around 35km time.

The gap between the breakaway and the bunch is fluctuating - having dropped once again below two minutes, it's now gone back up to 3:10.

120km to go

The gap is once again steady at 2:55.

The first climb of the day, the Côte de Sainte-Thérence, is 2.6km in length, at an average gradient of 4.6%. It could provide a launchpad for teams looking to try and break up the bunch or drop the pure sprinters.

The average speed after two hours of racing - 41km/h.

The gap to the lead duo has dipped below two minutes once again, and hovers around 1:50 now.

110km to go

Though everyone is understandably expecting the fight for the general classification to come down to the titans of the sport in Tadej Pogačar, Jonas Vingegaard and Remco Evenepoel, there are plenty of other times with an interest in their performance throughout the week. 

Some of the other candidates looking to spring a surprise include Enric Mas (Movistar), Lenny Martinez (Bahrain-Victorious), Florian Lipowitz (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe) and a second rider for Visma Lease-a-Bike, Matteo Jorgenson. In fact, the American indicated earlier in the season he may be given the opportunity to go for the GC at this race, but much will depend on how Vingegaard is progressing, particularly in view of the fact that this is his first race back since his crash at the Volta Catalunya in April.

With just over 15km remaining to the first climb of the day, the gap to the breakaway stands at 2:25.

Find out more about Jonas Vingegaard's new Cervélo S5 below. 

If it ain't broke, don't fix it: Jonas Vingegaard spotted aboard all-new Cervélo S5 at the Dauphiné

With 100 kilometres remaining today's race, the riders are almost at the halfway mark.

The breakaway's advantage has reduced to 2:15.

100km to go

The first climb of the day is just a few kilometres away now, and the gap to the break still stands at 2:13. 

Vingegaard's bike isn't the only machine that's been drawing the eye out in France. Indeed, Jake Stewart's (Israel Premier-Tech) insane new Factor has been raising eyebrows, ahead of today's stage.

How did they keep this a secret? Insane new Factor prototype blows minds at the Dauphiné

The leading duo of Ourselin and Thierry drop down a short descent leading into the first climb of the day, which is now less than two kilometres away.

Their gap has dropped just below two minutes.

90km to go

Onto the climb!

Ourselin and Thierry head onto the 2.6km Côte de Sainte-Thérence. They will battle for the first KOM point of the race.

They maintain their advantage of 1:55 over the rest of the bunch.

And it's Ourselin who takes the first KOM point for Cofidis, opening his account in that competition. There are six more points up for grabs today, with the climbs coming thick and fast from now on. The next one arrives in just 5km.

Today is one of the few opportunities for the sprinters at the race - and there are very few pure sprinters on the start list, as a result. Lidl-Trek have brought the immense power of Jonathan Milan while Israel-Premier Tech have Pascal Ackermann, who took his first victory in two years at the Classique Dunkerque last month.

Beyond that, there is Paul Penhoët (Groupama-FDJ), Søren Wærenskjold (Uno-X Mobility), Hugo Page (Intermarché-Wanty) and Laurence Pithie (Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe), along with a number of riders with a fast finish, should the opportunity occur - the likes of Axel Laurance and Sam Watson from Ineos Grenadiers, Jhonatan Narvaez (UAE Team Emirates) and of course, Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck). The former world champion is riding despite having broken his wrist in his first mountain-biking race of the season at Nové Mesto just two weeks ago.

Next up the Côte d'Argenty, and the gap holds steady at 1:55. This is a chance for Ourselin to increase his lead in the KOM, or for Thierry to even the score.

80km to go

As the gap closes to 1:45, Ourselin takes the second KOM point to double his lead.

There is just over 8km to the next climb, as the race enters the first of two loops of a circuit around Montluçon. The next climb, the Côte de Buffon, precedes the day's intermediate sprint point, as the bunch cross the finish line for the first time.

One rider, Hugo Toumire of Cofidis, has been distanced from the bunch, and rides alone a minute behind the peloton.

Toumire has been distanced following a crash at the back of the bunch. 

The gap to the leading duo has tumbled, and currently stands at 1:10, with the next climb approaching in just over a kilometre.

There's a lengthy verbal exchange between the two Frenchmen at the front of the race, before they launch ahead of the third KOM point of the day. Ourselin is clearly the strongest of the pair, and he launches up the climb, distancing Thierry and taking the third available KOM point, to make it three out of three. 

Sadly for his teammate Toumire, the race is already over. The rider abandons following the crash he suffered earlier.

70km to go

Following the climb, the peloton are riding tempo, arranged in colour blocks, and they have allowed the gap to grow once again to just over 1:30.

The breakaway approaches the intermediate sprint. They ride over the finish line for the first time, and they don't contest the sprint, Ourselin allowing Thierry to take the full ten points. There will be four points remaining for whoever wants to go for it, from the bunch behind. They are approaching now, the gap reducing to 1:15 under the increased pace.

Three riders go for the points, with Visma leading out Matteo Jorgenson, but he misses out to Nils Pollitt (UAE Team Emirates), the German coming through on the line to take the final four points.

The points go towards the green jersey classification but crucially, there are also 3, 2 and 1 bonus seconds available for the general classification. 

The gap to the breakaway reduces to under a minute for the first time since they got away.

Results of the intermediate sprint at Montluçon:

1. Pierre Thierry (Arkéa-B&B Hotels), 10 pts / 3''
2. Paul Ourselin (Cofidis), 6 pts / 2''
3. Nils Politt (UAE Team Emirates-XRG), 4 pts / 1''

60km to go

The next climb is underway. The Côte de Domérat is just under 2km in length and the breakaway duo will once again contest the KOM, while behind, the peloton are closing them down rapidly - the gap is down to just 40 seconds now.

Ourselin takes a fourth KOM point, ensuring he will take the jersey at the end of the day, as just three further points remain.

His compatriot and breakaway companion Thierry launches off solo, as the bunch close them down just 40 seconds in arrears.

A longer distance stands between the bunch and the next categorised climb - around 15km. It looks likely the race will be on by then, with the lone leader Thierry now just 28 seconds clear of the chasing pack.

His work successfully completed for the day, Paul Ourselin returns to the peloton - he will wear the polka dot jersey on stage 2.

In the meantime there has been a mechanical issue for Visma-Lease a Bike's Per Strand Hagenes. He is back on his way now.

50km to go

With 50km remaining on the stage, the catch is imminent - the bunch holds steady around 17 seconds behind Thierry, pacing their efforts.

As the peloton take their foot off the gas, Thierry is allowed to extend his lead back up to 50 seconds. There is a sense of control in the bunch, however, and the solo leader can expect to be closed down rapidly whenever the peloton decide to begin racing.

Jake Stewart (Israel-Premier Tech) visits his team car for assistance, as he tinkers with his new aero Factor prototype. He removes his own bottle cage with an allen key borrowed from the team car - impressive!

40km to go

Pierre Thierry hits the Côte de Buffon as they begin the second circuit - but back in the bunch, Ben Healy (EF Education-EasyPost) attacks from the front of the bunch. He leads up the climb but it's his teammate, Archie Ryan, who moves clear, drawing out the world champion, Tadej Pogačar, who leads the peloton, with Jonas Vingegaard on his wheel. 

They close down Ryan.

There's just 15 seconds to the solo leader, Thierry.

Some of the domestiques have clocked off for the day, riding in a group behind the main peloton.

More attacks come, with Healy pulling clear once again, and once again, Tadej Pogačar is not far behind. Thierry's days are numbered. 

Fred Wright (Bahrain-Victorious) is the next to attack - he's allowed to get away by the bunch, who begin looking at once another.

Wright bridges to Thierry and the gap grows again slightly.

An interesting statement of intent from Tadej Pogačar there, following a flurry of activity instigated by EF Education-EasyPost. Jonas Vingegaard did not give his rival an inch, though Remco Evenepoel was less concerned about following the attacks. 

The new leading duo of Wright and Thierry build their advantage to 30 seconds.

The race passes over the finish line and takes the bell. 

Pascal Ackermann stops for a bike change.

30km to go

The gap stands at 40 seconds, and has begun to come down once again.

The tension is high at the front of the peloton as they bunch back together and pass through a town, navigating road furniture and roundabouts.

Fred Wright is asking Pierre Thierry to take a turn but the Arkéa rider is refusing. Nevertheless, the pair hold their advantage at just under 45 seconds.

With just over 25 kilometres remaining on the stage, the breakaway duo arrive at the penultimate classified climb of the day, the Côte de Domérat. They are protecting a lead of just 26 seconds now.

Pierre Thierry sprints for the KOM point at the Côte de Domérat, and he's done for the day. He swings off looking spent. 

Fred Wright pushes on alone. Behind, there are no moves from the bunch on the climb. The gap has dropped to 20 seconds.

Lidl-Trek take over the pace-setting in the bunch once again on behalf of Jonathan Milan, who is the clear favourite for victory on this stage, should the group stay together all the way to the line. 

Tom Paquot (Intermarché-Wanty) stops for a wheel change, following a puncture.

Fred Wright's gap drops to 11 seconds and with 20 kilometres remaining and the pace high in a peloton that's stretched out all along the road, it looks as though his attempt will shortly be vanquished.

20km to go

Tim Wellens (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) is out the back of the bunch, and he tries to work his way back.

At the front of the bunch, Lidl-Trek leave Fred Wright dangling just over ten seconds ahead of the group. 17km remain on the stage.

Gianni Vermeersch (Alpecin-Deceuninck) has a sketchy moment as he gets caught out, and is squeezed onto the pavement where he must navigate some bollards before he can rejoin the course.

Bike change for Andreas Kron (Uno-X Mobility).

The tempo increases with Lidl-Trek and Alpecin-Deceuninck drilling the pace at the front - Wright's advantage is shaved down to just 10 seconds, with 12.8km remaining.

Søren Wærenskjold (Uno-X Mobility) pulls up with suspected cramp. He will not feature in today's finale.

Wright continues to lead solo, with just 11 seconds of advantage, as the peloton continue to keep him dangling out front. Just two kilometres remain to the final climb of the day - expect fireworks - but will it be enough to drop Jonathan Milan?

10km to go

The peloton attack the climb and Wright is immediately swamped. The first move comes from Ineos, and it's Axel Laurance, followed by a rider from EF.

It was a really explosive attack from Laurance and he briefly got a gap, but as they reach the summit, Laurance backs off and it's Lukas Nerurkar (EF Education-EasyPost) who is the one to push on. Matteo Jorgenson follows the attack.

With just over 5km remaining, the peloton is stretched out into a long line, and with Pogačar and Vingegaard both near the front of the race, Maxim van Gils tries to attack for Red Bull-Bora-hangrohe.

Now Jonas Vingegaard attacks! Tadej Pogačar and Mathieu van der Poel go with him, with Santiago Buitrago (Bahrain-Victorious) the only other rider capable of following.

5km to go

Remco Evenepoel bridged to join the leading quartet, but they begin to look at one another, while behind, Lidl-Trek strike.

Romain Bardet (Team Picnic-PostNL) attacks from the peloton now. It's all over the road.

The five at the head of the race have begun riding together, but it's a tentative accord. They have a slender 4 second lead for now.

3.5km to go. 

Bruno Armirail (Decathlon-AG2R La Mondiale) is the next rider to attack from the bunch to try and bridge to the lead group.

There are two kilometres remaining and there's no control in the chasing peloton, with the likelihood of it coming down to a full bunch sprint diminishing. 

The lead group of five superstar riders is pushing clear, working hard together for now, but can they take it all the way to the line?

They take the flamme rouge.

1km to go

Vingegaard shadows Tadej Pogačar, as van der Poel launches for the line.

The chase is on behind.

Tadej Pogačar wins stage 1 of the Critérium du Dauphiné 2025!

Van der Poel launched early and though Evenepoel was in the mix for the sprint to the line, it was Pogačar who had the speed at the finish, and Jonas Vingegaard who was able to come through in second.

What an incredible, unexpected and thrilling opening to this year's race.

Van der Poel hangs over his handlebars completely spent. It was a huge effort from the Dutchman, who wasn't sure he'd even be able to compete at his top level following his broken wrist.

An unexpected final, instigated - uncharacteristically - by Jonas Vingegaard, resulted in the two race favourites finishing the race in the first two positions. Tadej Pogačar produced a powerful finish to overcome his rival, both for this race, and more importantly, the Tour de France, and he takes the race lead on day one.

Speaking after the race Pogačar was asked if he expected to be sitting where he was. He said: "No, no, I was not. I was all prepared to come back to the bus pretty fast after the finish, to take a shower in the bus, take a comfortable seat and enjoy the rest of the day. But I don't mind being here as well. 

"I followed the moves on the steep part of the climb, and then Visma was clearly going for the stage win. They were trying, with everybody, to attack on the top. And fortunately, I had good legs and I covered all the attacks. And then even Jonas for the last one, for the cherry on the top, he attacked on the top. And that one was painful, and luckily, was downhill almost all the way down to the finish, so I could recover a bit. 

"Around 2km to go, I was starting to think more about the sprint than just the GC, and I knew that van der Poel was the fastest, obviously, in this group. But after a finish like this, you cannot count all of the rest out, they can be fast as well after a tough day. So yeah, I switched my focus around 2k to go to prepare for sprint. And it worked.

"It's a stage win. I can go home from Dauphiné happy already but yeah, I still want to see how the shape will be in the TT and on the mountain stages. I cannot say after today that the shape is incredible. Obviously, it's good, but the real test is coming [at the] end of the weekend."

Finally he was asked "are you surprising yourself?"

He said: "Oh, a little bit yes. Don’t worry everybody, maybe I retire soon when my when my contract is finished!"

Interviewed immediately after the stage, Jonas Vingegaard had this to say:

"I had a good day to be honest. I'm happy with how it went today. Happy that I could make a difference. So yeah, I guess it's the first time I finished second in a bunch sprint. So I'm happy. And Tadej was just faster than I was. So congrats to him.

Asked about the cooperation in the front group, Vingegaard said: "Yeah, it's true. I mean, I guess I was the one cooperating the least, because I thought that I would be the loser of the sprint. I was compared to Tadej so I lose four seconds, obviously. So, that's of course not ideal. I thought I would actually get no seconds in the end but yeah, to get six bonus seconds is is quite good, I would say."

Many thanks for joining us for live coverage of today's thrilling first stage - do join us again tomorrow as the race continues.