Three-time Tour de France winner Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates - XRG) and two-time overall winner Jonas Vingegaard (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) have provided several thrilling duels in the ongoing Critérium du Dauphiné cycling race. Pogacar has clearly proven his status as the world's best climber, winning three stages at the Critérium du Dauphiné and holding the overall lead.
Both Pogacar and Vingegaard are preparing for the Tour de France, and as of today, the 26-year-old Slovenian can be considered the clear favorite. However, the chances of the Dane, two years his senior, cannot be dismissed. On the penultimate, 7th stage, he lost 14 seconds to Pogacar, who crossed the finish line first.
"I couldn't follow Pogacar's attack, but honestly, I think I rode quite well," said Vingegaard. "I rode at my own pace. In the end, I didn't lose too much, so I think I can be satisfied with today."
Vingegaard and his team, Visma-Lease a Bike, tried various tactics to attack Pogacar and his team, UAE Team Emirates-XRG, by placing riders in the early breakaway group, increasing the pace on mountainous descents, and launching a late attack through Sepp Kuss.
The Dutch team had four riders in the leaders' group before the final climb, while Pogacar could only rely on his teammate Pavel Sivakov, who had to monitor attacks and maintain the pace. Despite their numerical advantage, none of them could do anything against Pogacar.
"I tried to follow, but like yesterday, I had to slow down," said Vingegaard. "But I think I still rode very, very well and can be satisfied with my performance today. I saw my numbers, and they were actually quite good. Today too, Tadej was simply better, so congratulations to him. He truly deserved that win," Vingegaard said.
🏔 3 cols hors catégorie au programme et une belle bagarre pour l’étape comme pour le classement général ! 💛
— Critérium du Dauphiné (@dauphine) June 14, 2025
🎥 Résumé de la 7ème étape du #Dauphiné pic.twitter.com/nVpJANsmEK
