Is the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes route is too difficult? 7x Tour de France stage winner says yes

The Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, the newly renamed Criterium du Dauphiné, begins on Sunday June 7, 2026, featuring a strong start list including Paul Seixas, Isaac del Toro, Juan Ayuso, Matteo Jorgenson, Oscar Onley, and João Almeida. French cycling legend Cyrille Guimard, a seven-time Tour de France stage winner, has voiced concerns about the race's difficulty while also expressing excitement, predicting a 'real battle' between the top contenders. The eight-day French race is seen as a key Tour de France preparation event, with Seixas — racing on home roads — considered the top favourite ahead of his anticipated Tour de France debut this summer.