Pogacar wins his first Criterium du Dauphine Race

Slovenian cycling superstar Tadej Pogacar of UAE Team Emirates-XRG has triumphed in the prestigious Criterium du Dauphine, marking his inaugural victory in the iconic race that serves as a critical precursor to the Tour de France

Pogacar secured his overall win after finishing third in the final stage, preserving a 59-second lead over Denmark's Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) in the general classification.

The Criterium du Dauphine, an eight-stage event covering 1,200 kilometers through the breathtaking landscapes of southeastern France, saw Pogacar demonstrate his exceptional prowess. The final stage, a challenging 133.3-km route from Val-d'Arc to Val-Cenise, was won by France's Lenny Martinez (Bahrain-Victorious), who outpaced Pogacar by 34 seconds, while Vingegaard finished in second place.

Pogacar's victory comes after a commendable fourth-place finish in the 2020 edition of the race, where he initially showcased his formidable talent. This year, he effectively sealed his overall triumph by gaining a crucial advantage of one minute and one second following a spectacular performance in the mountain stage from Grand-Aigueblanche to Valmeinier, a leg he won decisively. He also claimed victories in both the first and fifth stages of the race, further cementing his dominance throughout the competition.

With this victory, Pogacar joins an elite group of Slovenian cyclists, becoming the third to win the Criterium du Dauphine, following in the footsteps of Janez Brajkovic (2010) and two-time champion Primož Roglic (2022, 2023). Today’s win marks Pogacar's 18th victory in multi-day races and his second triumph of the year, having previously won the UAE Tour in February.

As the world’s top-ranked cyclist, Pogacar’s sights are now set on the upcoming Tour de France, commencing on July 5, where he aims to capture his fourth overall victory, adding to his previous titles from 2020, 2021, and 2024. His relentless pursuit of excellence and ability to conquer challenging terrains solidify his reputation as one of cycling's most formidable athletes.

“This victory at the Criterium du Dauphine is incredibly special for me,” said Pogacar. “It’s a testament to the hard work and dedication of my team. I’m excited to carry this momentum into the Tour de France and continue striving for greatness.”

VIDEO: Stage 8 Criterium du Dauphine Highlights

2025 Criterium du Dauphine Stage 8 Top 10

1 Martinez Lenny Bahrain Victorious   03:34:18
2 Vingegaard Jonas Team Visma | Lease a Bike  + 34
3 Pogacar Tadej UAE Team Emirates-XRG    + 34
4 Jorgenson Matteo Team Visma | Lease a Bike  + 40
5 Evenepoel Remco Soudal Quick-Step   + 40
6 Mas Enric Movistar Team     + 45
7 Lipowitz Florian Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe   + 47
8 Johannessen Tobias Halland Uno-X Mobility   + 47
9 Healy Ben EF Education-EasyPost    + 01:01
10 Kuss Sepp Team Visma | Lease a Bike   + 01:01

2025 Criterium du Dauphine Final GC

1 Pogacar Tadej UAE Team Emirates-XRG 29:19:46
2 Vingegaard Jonas Team Visma | Lease a Bike + 59
3 Lipowitz Florian Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe + 02:38
4 Evenepoel Remco Soudal Quick-Step + 04:21
5 Johannessen Tobias Halland Uno-X Mobility + 06:12
6 Jorgenson Matteo Team Visma | Lease a Bike + 07:28
7 Mas Enric Movistar Team + 07:57
8 Seixas Paul Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Team + 08:25
9 Rodriguez Carlos INEOS Grenadiers + 08:57
10 Martin-Guyonnet Guillaume Groupama-FDJ + 10