Pogačar takes winning edge to the Tour de France

The world champion won his first Dauphiné title on Sunday, beating rivals Vingegaard and Evenepoel

- Tom Davidson

If the Critérium du Dauphiné is anything to go by, a fourth Tour de France title looks a formality for Tadej Pogačar next month. The UAE Team Emirates-XRG rider won the Grand Tour’s amuse-bouche stage race at a canter, beating Jonas Vingegaard and Remco Evenepoel by minutes, and winning three of eight stages.

“It was a really amazing week,” Pogačar said afterwards. “For sure, it helps morale and motivation for the Tour, the biggest goal of the season. I think it’s a mental boost for the whole team.”

The world champion opened the Dauphiné with intent, outsprinting Vingegaard on day one and earning himself the first yellow jersey. After suffering losses in stage four’s time trial, he won again on stage six, this time accelerating away from everyone - still seated - on the climb to Combloux, and leaping from seventh to first in the overall standings. Pogačar then bolstered his lead the following day when he won on the mountain finish at Valmeinier 1800. His career tally now stands at 99 victories - the most of any active male pro.