Dauphine Race Kickoff Victory: Tadej Pogacar Edges Jonas Vingegaard in Sprint, Claims Leader's Jersey
Ready for some Dauphiné dish? Let's dive into the action unfolding on the French roads! From the get-go, at Domérat and Montluçon on June 8, Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) stomped the competition, leaving his main rivals - Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a bike), Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck), and Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step) - in a dust cloud. The world champion claimed the yellow jersey in style.
The sprinters, hoping to secure a stage victory, were slapped with reality. Axel Laurance's (Ineos-Grenadiers) late climb attack on the Côte de Buffon eliminated them from the race. Only the main contenders managed to keep pace with the Frenchman, before Vingegaard's subsequent attack created a gap. In hot pursuit were a fearsome foursome - Santiago Buitrago (Bahrain-Victorious), Mathieu van der Poel, Tadej Pogačar, and Remco Evenepoel. Holding a five-second lead in the final five kilometers, the quartet showcased their strength. However, the peloton wasn't ready to concede defeat, resulting in Mathieu van der Poel launching the sprint prematurely. Despite his best efforts, the Dutch champion was edged out by Pogačar and Vingegaard.
"I figured I'd be back on the bus for a shower sooner rather than standing in the winner's circle," Pogačar shared with astonishment. "I matched Jonas' last move on the final climb. The ensuing sprint was downhill, so we charged ahead. I began contemplating the finish line sprint at two kilometers to go but assumed Mathieu van der Poel would outmaneuver us". According to Pogačar, his Dauphiné success was already a win, with the real challenges ahead in the coming days - the Alpine cols lurking at the end of the race.
In the 2021 Critérium du Dauphiné, Pogačar was one of the main contenders for the overall victory, alongside a troop of promising riders: Primož Roglič (Jumbo-Visma), Geraint Thomas (Ineos Grenadiers), and Aleksandr Vlasov (Astana-Premier Tech). The race proved to be a hotly contested battlefield, with top riders like Jonas Vingegaard and Remco Evenepoel vying for the general classification. As for the 2025 edition, expect Pogačar, Vingegaard, and Evenepoel to continue their fierce competition, underscoring the intense racing landscape at the race[1][2][4].
During the 2025 edition of the Critérium du Dauphiné, the French countryside may once again witness an intense competition between three of the world's finest cyclists - Tadej Pogačar, Jonas Vingegaard, and Remco Evenepoel. Interestingly, when these athletes aren't showcasing their skills on the Alpine cols, they might find themselves facing off on the football pitch, given their shared passion for French sports.
