Criterium du Dauphine 2025: Tadej Pogacar unhappy with 'dangerous' Visma attack on descent during Stage 7 - 'I did not like it'
Published 14/06/2025 at 18:21 GMT+1
Tadej Pogacar (UAE Emirates-XRG) has spoken about the "little bit dangerous" approach of the Visma-Lease a Bike team during Stage 7 of the Criterium du Dauphine. The world champion was unhappy with the way the Visma riders descended on the Col de la Croix de Fer when he was in an isolated position, but he was able to go on and win the penultimate stage, extending his advantage to over a minute.
'I did not like that' - Pogacar believes Visma attack on descent was 'dangerous'
Video credit: TNT Sports
Tadej Pogacar (UAE Emirates-XRG) has said Visma-Lease a Bike rode "a little bit dangerous" following his victory in Stage 7 of the Criterium du Dauphine.
The world champion secured his second stage win in a row on Saturday to establish an advantage of over a minute heading into the final stage.
It was a comfortable victory in the end for the 26-year-old, finishing 14 seconds ahead of Jonas Vingegaard (Visma), having eased up in the final stages.
Nevertheless, the Slovenian said the way the Visma riders descended on the Col de la Croix de Fer was " a little bit dangerous".
Speaking after the race, Pogacar said: "Today we wanted to take control on all the climbs. Visma tried with all the attacks.
"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 [Visma riders] 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 kilometres on the downhill. I did not like that, but it's modern cycling."
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/06/27/image-944a6caa-0c3d-4d00-8831-3b3da4b94f8f-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
'Nobody can live with Pogacar' - 'Peerless' yellow jersey cruises to Stage 7 win
Video credit: TNT Sports
He added: "Pavel [Sivakov, UAE] 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 [Vingegaard] was really strong, I also didn't want to go too deep for myself.
"It was a super hot and long climb, luckily I had enough time to ease up in the last kilometre to recover."
- Blythe backs Vingegaard to 'demolish' Tour de France
- 'Take a deep breath' – Riders barely dodge crash into team car
Pogacar’s victory follows his superb win in Stage 6 in Combloux on Friday, as he reclaimed the yellow jersey on the first of three mountain tests.
Heading into the final stage on Sunday, he holds a 1’01" advantage over Vingegaard, while Florian Lipowitz (Red Bull-Bora Hansgrohe) is 2’21" behind in third.
The Slovenian also claimed the green jersey from Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) and leads the king of the mountains competition.
Stream top cycling action on TNT Sports and discovery+
Thoughts?
Advertisement
Advertisement