Criterium du Dauphine Stage 7 recap - Tadej Pogacar puts further time into Jonas Vingegaard and wins mountainous penultimate stage

Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

Stage 7 | Men | 14.06.2025

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Grand-AigueblancheValmeinier 1800

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16:08

POGACAR WINS STAGE AND EXTENDS OVERALL LEAD

Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) won his third stage of this year’s Criterium du Dauphine and extended his overall lead heading into the eighth and final stage.

The Slovenian launched a blistering attack 11 kilometres from the finish at the Valmeinier 1800 summit and kept a margin of around 20 seconds on rival Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) to the finish.

Pogacar had time to relax in the final kilometre and saw his winning margin reduced to 14 seconds on the stage.

Florian Lipowitz (Red Bull-Bora Hansgrohe) continued his podium push and was left chasing Vingegaard alone to finish third 1’21" behind the winner.

Meanwhile, Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step) dropped back as the decisive blow was landed and came home fifth 2’39.

The 131.6 kilometres long queen stage contained 4,815 vertical metres of elevation and three HC category climbs. A large breakaway of 15 riders went clear on the Col de la Madeleine, but were kept close by a reduced bunch.

Visma-Lease a Bike isolated Pogacar on the Col de la Croix de Fer, leaving him without any UAE Team Emirates team-mates and support.

In his final last race as a professional Romain Bardet (Picnic PostNL) rode clear from the breakaway and was the lone leader heading into the final climb of Valmeinier 1800.

Pavel Sivako got back to the reduced peloton to provide support for Pogacar and rose the pace before Pogacar attacked, with Bardet caught.

Vingegaard was unable to hold the yellow jersey wearer but maintained a gap of around 20 seconds up the remainder of the climb.

Lipowitz was alone in third, while Tobias Halland Johannessen (Uno-X Mobility) dropped Evenepoel in the final kilometer to take fourth.

Heading into the final stage, Pogacar holds the yellow jersey with a 1’01" advantage over Vingegaard and Lipowitz is 2’21" back in third.

Pogacar also took the green jersey from Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) and leads the king of the mountains' competition.

'Nobody can live with Pogacar' - 'Peerless' yellow jersey cruises to Stage 7 win

Video credit: TNT Sports

15:45

OVERALL STANDINGS

Pogacar has a healthy lead heading into the eighth and final stage of this year’s Criterium du Dauphine Stage 7. Here are the GC standings after Stage 7:

1 Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates)
2. Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) +1’01"
3. Florian Lipowitz (Red Bull-Bora Hansgrohe) +2’21"
4. Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step) +4’11"
5. Tobias Halland Johannessen (Uno-X Mobility) +5’55"

Image credit: Getty Images

15:39

POGACAR UNHAPPY WITH VISA TACTICS

Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) has reflected on the Visma-Lease a Bike tactics and accused them of descending ‘dangerously’ on the Col de la Croix de Fer.

He said: "Today we wanted to take control on all the climbs.

"Visma tried with all the attacks and I was pretty happy with how Pavel (Sivako) was riding today.

"It was sort of defence, not to get attacked by everyone from Visma. So, I launched it and I maintained a good pace to the top, I was really happy that I could defend the jersey like this.

"They attacked towards the top of the Col de la Croix de Fer. I think they want to drop me on the downhill.

"They went a little bit dangerous in the first couple of kilometers on the downhill. I did not like that, but it's modern cycling.

"Pavel came back and took over the control again, it was all fine. On the last climb Pavel prepared me for the attack.

"I just committed because I didn't want any attacks from behind. Today Jonas was really strong, I also didn't want to go too deep for myself.

"It was super-hot and long climb, luckily I had enough time to ease up in the last kilometre to recover.

"You look at the performances, but in the tour, they can be even stronger. Also our team, we get two more climbers in the team.

"So far, so good, and let's survive tomorrow."

'I did not like that' - Pogacar believes Visma attack on descent was 'dangerous'

Video credit: TNT Sports

15:26

STAGE 7 RESULT

Another showing of pure class and strength from world champion Pogacar who eased up at the top of the mountain.

1. Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates)
2. Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) +14"
3. Florian Lipowitz (Red Bull-Bora Hansgrohe) +1’21"
4. Tobias Halland Johannessen (Uno-X Mobility) +2’26"
5. Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step) +2’39"

15:22

BAD DAY FOR EVENEPOEL

It’s a massive psychological blow for Evenepoel ahead of the Tour de France as he has lost minutes on the world champion once again.

While Vingegaard will still believe that he can test Pogacar over three weeks the Belgian will have a less positive look at this race.

Matteo Jorgenson has also slipped out of the top five today after losing 5’27" in this stage.

15:17

POGACAR WINS AGAIN

Back-to-back stage victories for the world champion who will head into the final stage with an advantage of over a minute. Vingegaard was unable to hold his rivals attack once again and has to settle for second best.

The Dane has kept his rival within 30 seconds but looks less composed in his chase. Pogacar looks like he is riding to the shops as he crests the mountain, stops his computer and raises his hands.

Vingegaard cut the gap to 15 seconds at the line, as he fought to the line when his rival sat up.

Lipowitz finished third 1'22" down. Johannessen drops Evenepoel in the final kilometer to finish fourth but is 2'26" behind the winner and the Belgian loses 2'39".

15:13

1KM TO GO: POGACAR ON WAY TO EXTENDING LEAD

The UAE Team Emirates rider passes the one-kilometre kite with a 0’24" second gap over his rival Vingegaard who will not be too disheartened by this display.

Pogacar has looked in control since making his explosive attack and on his way to a third stage win of this race.

15:10

3KM TO GO: LIPOWITZ DROPPING BACK

The Red Bull-Bora Hansgrohe rider has been impressive this week. However, Evenepoel has paced this climb very well and didn’t go with the initial attack.

Lipowitz tried to hold Vingegaard but is now 1’10 back and just 23 seconds ahead of Evenepoel.

15:06

5KM TO GO: POGACAR MAINTAINS GAP

The Slovenian looks in control of this stage. The yellow jersey wearer has a gap of 0’20" over rival Vingegaard who has maintained the gap on the road.

However, the Dane will be encouraged by today and will question if Pogacar will have the same explosive jump after two weeks in the Tour de France next month.

Lipowitz is 0'55" behind the leader and Evenepoel has lost 1'25".

14:59

8KM TO GO: EVENEPOEL LOSES MORE TIME

The Belgian will have a deep reflection on his performance in the last two mountainous days. Pogacar looks relaxed but not gaining significant time on Vingegaard who is 0’16" behind.

However, Lipowitz is between the Dane and Evenepoel who has lost 1’00 already.
Tobias Halland Johannessen is with the Belgian and is set to jump up the standings tonight.

14:55

10KM TO GO: VINGEGAARD CHASING HARD

After losing time in the immediate attack Vingegaard is chasing back on the flatter section of this climb. The Dane is joined by Florian Lipowitz (Red Bull-Bora Hansgrohe) who refuses to give him a turn.

Vingegaard attacks his companion and then rides him off the wheel. Vingegaard is 0’10" behind and Evenepoel has lost 0’44" very quickly.

14:50

11KM TO GO: POGACAR ATTACKS

After being left isolated in the front group Sivakov gives his team-mate one last turn and then Pogacar goes.

Vingegaard is unable to follow the attack of his rival and is alone chasing in second.

Evenepoel was unable to follow the pace of Sivakov and dropped off moments before the Pogacar attack.

'This is frightening' - Pogacar attacks and drops Vingegaard

Video credit: TNT Sports

14:47

13KM TO GO: KUSS ATTACKS AS BARDET CAUGHT

The Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale duo of Bruno Armirail followed by Paul Seixas are the unlikely riders setting the pace early on this final climb. They chase down fellow Frenchman and former team-mate Bardet.

After being in the breakaway Higuita and Buitrago are both also dropped. The gap to Bardet quickly drops to 20 and then 14 seconds under the pace of Armirail. Despite the passion of the French fans there was not enough left in the tank for Bardet this afternoon despite giving it everything.

As soon as Bardet is reeled in Sepp Kuss attacks on the opposite side of the road. Bardet and Armirail have an exchange of words as they are both dropped.

14:39

15KM TO GO: VALEINIER 1800 AWAITS

Bardet picks up the bonus sprint and Tobias Halland Johannessen (Uno-X Mobility) rolls off the front of the peloton to pick up the remaining bonus second. However, that will matter little in 10 kilometes time up this climb.

As soon as the road rises Healey is back off the back as the peloton is set to reduce in number again. There are currently 26 riders in the peloton. Bardet has an advantage of 31 seconds on the lower slopes of the final climb.

14:32

20KM TO GO: VINGEGAARD CONFIDENT

The Danish rider has a nature break and is then guided back to the front by his team-mate. Vingegaard gives the camera a smile and a wave.

In comparison Pogacar has to go back to his team car and grabs a bottle for Sivakov on the front. However, this will by a psychological blow for UAE that their leader has been isolated for so long in this stage.

14:24

25KM TO GO: FAMILY VISIT FOR BARDET

The Frenchman might have been encouraged to attack today by his family coming out to the race. The 34-year-old is 46 seconds ahead of the peloton with a long road to the finish at Valmeinier 1800 to come.

The racing is yet to start between the GC favourites as the tension is rising in the valley.

14:18

30KM TO GO: INTO THE VALLEY ROAD

With 100 kilometres raced the riders have finished the descent and reached Saint-Jean de Maurienne. Church bells ring out as the race passes by. Bardet continues to grow his advantage to around 0"50’.

Visma are now sitting back allowing Sivakov to work and Movistar also look interested in setting the pace.

14:12

37KM TO GO: TULETT ATTACKS BUNCH

Visma have got fed up of setting the pace and Ben Tulett has made several attacks forcing a tired Pavel Sivakov (UAE Team Emirates) to chase. Sivakov was dropped on the last climb and this looks like a clear plan by Visma to keep Pogacar isolated.

Tulett is quickly reeled and Sivakov is now riding on the front. This fighting between the peloton has allowed a host of riders to rejoin the front group, including Healey.

14:06

40KM TO GO: COULD BARDET DO THIS?

It would be a truly emotional moment if he could pull this off. There are 40km to go with 20km of that in a valley road. The final climb is 16.2 kilometres long up to Valmeinier 1800.

With 40km remaining Bardet has a gap of 0’49" as we head down the descent of Col de la Croix de Fer.

Bardet will be joining our live coverage on TNT Sports for the Tour de France next month. You can watch the remainder of today’s stage also on TNT Sports.

13:56

47KM TO GO: BARDET ALONE OUT IN FRONT

The Frenchman is pushing the limits of this final descent which drops in stages and contains a small few ramps. Visma are keeping the pressure on behind as UAE Team Emirates have riders chasing back on behind.

The remainder of the breakaway has been caught and Bardet is a lone leader 0"23’ ahead of the peloton.