"It was a proper hard Tour de France breakaway stage" - Tadej Pogacar continues to build form at the Criterium du Dauphiné

Movistar Team's Ivan Romeo secured a stunning solo win on stage 3 of the 2025 Criterium du Dauphiné, moving into the race lead as a result. Although it was the breakaway that took the spoils, things were by no means calm for those in the peloton behind - as Tadej Pogacar explained afterwards.

"It was a proper Tour de France stage today, hard all day," began the UAE Team Emirates - XRG leader in his post-stage interview, having been part of the peloton that crossed the line 1:08 down on the eventual stage winner Romeo. "We committed to work as a team, and we did a super job."

Throughout the day, the time gap too the break never really went much higher than a minute and a half, somewhat understandable given the immense quality of the riders who had forced themselves up the road. "We knew that if we are alone, it's going to be hard to control this kind of breakaway. Especially with Eddie Dunbar and Florian Lipowitz inside, you shouldn't give them too much advantage,” Pogacar noted. "Quick-Step realised that and threw one guy in to help, but it was not enough. In the middle, Visma did a little bit of help, but I guess they're not worried about the other contenders."

Ultimately though, for Pogacar it's another day of competitive racing in the legs as he looks to build his form back up in time for the upcoming defence of the Tour de France. In that regard, the Slovenian ends the day content with his and his teammates' performance. "We did a really good team effort today. It's a good day out there for the team," concludes the three-time Maillot Jaune winner at the French Grand Tour. "We get ready for the Tour. It was a proper hard Tour de France breakaway stage."