Pogacar Secures Victory in Dauphiné, Solidifying Tour de France Favorites Position
Tadej Pogacar wins the Critérium du Dauphiné, reinforcing his position as the favorite for the 2025 Tour de France.
Key Points
- • Pogacar claims his fourth Dauphiné victory, establishing himself as a top contender for the Tour de France.
- • He seeks a fourth Tour title, which would tie him with Christopher Froome and get closer to the record of five wins.
- • Jonas Vingegaard, Pogacar's main rival, showed weaknesses during the Dauphiné, raising mental concerns.
- • Pogacar plans a training camp before the Tour starts on July 5.
Tadej Pogacar has firmly established himself as the frontrunner for the upcoming Tour de France after clinching victory at the Critérium du Dauphiné on June 15, 2025. This triumph marks Pogacar's fourth win in the prestigious Dauphiné and highlights his impressive form this season, with victories in other renowned races like the Strade Bianche, the Tour des Flandres, and Liège-Bastogne-Liège.
Pogacar’s dominance is noteworthy as he prepares to pursue his fourth Tour de France title, a win which would tie him with cycling great Christopher Froome and bring him closer to the record of five wins held by legends such as Eddy Merckx and Jacques Anquetil. His recent performance at the Dauphiné was particularly telling, as he outperformed his main rival, Jonas Vingegaard, who has been the reigning champion for the last two Tours but showed vulnerability this year.
Analysts pointed out that Pogacar not only excelled in the mountain stages of the Dauphiné but may have also gained a psychological edge over Vingegaard. Cycling analyst Marc Madiot noted, "Pogacar has mentally defeated Vingegaard," reflecting concerns regarding Vingegaard’s mental state heading into the Tour after encountering difficulties in the Dauphiné.
Looking toward the Tour de France, which kicks off on July 5 in Lille, Pogacar plans to engage in a training camp with his UAE Team Emirates squad to refine his strategy and preparation. While Vingegaard is anticipated to bounce back, he will need to address the psychological implications of his recent results. In addition to Vingegaard, cyclists such as Remco Evenepoel, and the Bora-Hansgrohe duo of Primoz Roglic and Florian Lipowitz, are expected to challenge Pogacar, adding intrigue to the prestigious cycling event.
As the anticipation builds for the Tour de France, scheduled to conclude on July 29, the cycling world eyes Pogacar's preparations and rivalries that promise thrilling competition ahead.