Primoz Roglic Demonstrates Tactical Brilliance to Extend Criterium du Dauphine Lead

In a display of tactical brilliance, Slovenia’s cycling maestro Primoz Roglic showcased his strategic acumen on Saturday’s grueling queen stage of the Criterium du Dauphine, securing another remarkable victory to solidify his position atop the leaderboard. The 34-year-old, a former Dauphine champion, unleashed a late surge in the final kilometer of the challenging 155km stage seven race from Albertville to Samoens, leaving his rivals trailing in his wake.

Roglic’s triumph on the demanding stage was a testament to his exceptional form and the meticulous planning of his teammates, who played a pivotal role in controlling the race from start to finish. Reflecting on his victory, Roglic expressed gratitude for the outstanding support of his team, acknowledging their instrumental contribution to his success.

With back-to-back stage wins under his belt, Roglic has significantly extended his lead in the general classification, a position he seized from his Belgian adversary Remco Evenepoel after a stellar performance in Friday’s stage. Currently, Roglic holds a commanding lead of 1 minute and 2 seconds over Matteo Jorgenson of Visma, with Canadian rider Derek Gee occupying the third spot on the podium.

Looking ahead to the final stage of the Dauphine on Sunday, Roglic remained focused on the task at hand, emphasizing the importance of maintaining momentum and finishing the race on a high note. Expressing optimism about the team’s prospects, Roglic exuded confidence in their ability to deliver another strong performance and clinch victory.

The stage unfolded with Spaniard Marc Soler of Team UAE launching an early breakaway alongside Italians Davide Formolo and Lorenzo Fortunato, setting a brisk pace that kept the peloton on their toes. Despite Soler’s valiant efforts to maintain his lead, the relentless pursuit of the yellow jersey group eventually caught up with him, denying him a coveted stage win.

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As the race progressed, Roglic bided his time within the peloton, strategically conserving his energy while his Bora-Hansgrohe teammates expertly controlled the pace. Meanwhile, Polka-dot jersey holder Mathis Le Berre of Arkea struggled to keep up with the leading group, gradually losing ground over the challenging terrain.

Soler’s solo breakaway on the daunting Col de la Ramaz showcased his formidable climbing prowess, as he maintained a significant lead over his pursuers. However, his efforts were ultimately thwarted by the relentless pursuit of the yellow jersey group, who closed the gap with precision timing, overtaking him in the final kilometers of the race.

In a dramatic climax, Roglic unleashed a powerful surge in the closing moments of the race, swiftly overtaking his rivals to cross the finish line in triumphant fashion. Meanwhile, Evenepoel, once a contender for the top spot, faltered in the final stages of the race, slipping down the leaderboard as he struggled to maintain pace with the peloton.

The stage was not without its casualties, as Belgian rider Ilan Van Wilder and Latvian cyclist Emils Liepins were forced to abandon the race due to injuries sustained in Thursday’s mass fall, underscoring the grueling nature of competitive cycling.

Overall, Roglic’s masterful performance on the queen stage of the Criterium du Dauphine reaffirmed his status as one of the sport’s premier cyclists, setting the stage for an exhilarating conclusion to the prestigious race.