Tadej Pogačar, the Slovenian cycling star, showcased his dominance in the sixth stage of the Critérium du Dauphiné on June 13, 2025, securing a solo victory at Combloux with a lead of one minute and one second over his main rival Jonas Vingegaard. This impressive victory came after a challenging period for Pogačar, who recently faced a significant defeat against Vingegaard and Remco Evenepoel in the time trial at Saint-Péray.
At just 26 years old, Pogačar celebrated his 97th career win, placing him alongside French sprinter Arnaud Démare as one of the active riders with the highest number of victories. The Slovenian has now positioned himself firmly in the lead for the overall title of the Dauphiné, boasting a 43-second advantage over Vingegaard, 54 seconds over Germany’s Florian Lipowitz, and 1 minute and 22 seconds over Evenepoel, ahead of the last two mountainous stages.
Pogačar expressed confidence, stating, “I felt really good. I decided to attack right at the foot of the steepest part and had to hurry to catch the finish of Urzka (Zigart, his partner and professional cyclist) at the Tour de Suisse.” This remark underscores his keen awareness of both the race and personal commitments.
Despite earlier doubts about his form following a late return from altitude training, Pogačar downplayed the significance of this race, viewing it primarily as a preparation for the upcoming Tour de France. He emphasized the need to manage expectations, stating that not winning the Dauphiné would not be a significant concern.
His impressive acceleration during the climb of Domancy left competitors struggling to keep pace, with Vingegaard only managing to hang on momentarily. Other talented riders, including Alex Baudin, experienced Pogačar’s prowess firsthand, describing how he quickly overtook them during the ascent.
With the next challenging stage taking the riders towards Valmeinier 1800, Pogačar remains optimistic. He noted the unpredictability of races, saying, “A lot can still happen.” However, he also expressed confidence in his current form, relishing the return of the yellow jersey he claimed after his initial stage victory.
This performance by Pogačar not only reinforces his status as one of the leading cyclists today but also bodes well for his aspirations in the Tour de France. His ability to bounce back from setbacks exemplifies the resilience and determination that characterize elite athletes.