"The conclusion? That Pogacar is rock solid" - Quick-Step DS clear on message that World Champion sent in Domancy

Remco Evenepoel put in a solid ride today at the Criterium du Dauphiné this afternoon but it was not enough to hold the yellow jersey. Even if it weren't for Tadej Pogacar's nuclear attack, the Olympic Champion is still a little below the level he showed at the Tour de France, Soudal - Quick-Step's DS confirmed.

"The conclusion? That Pogacar is rock solid. He rode incredibly strong. It was incredibly fast, even on the penultimate climb," Tom Steels shared with Het Laatste Nieuws. It was a difficult day for Evenepoel, with a very fast pace from start to finish.

Already on the penultimate climb he was tested, but the yellow jersey was solid with the pace that Visma and UAE set. On the Côte de Domancy however the speeds were too much for Evenepoel, who had to slow down whilst the group was still under the pace of Jhonatan Narváez.

Against Pogacar there was no competition, but it was notable Evenepoel's struggle and inability to follow the wheels of Florian Lipowitz and Matteo Jorgenson in the final kilometers of the climb. "We might have expected to be a bit further. But it's the same situation as last year. We still have to get those small percentages uphill, but it's still a long way until the final week of the Tour."

The Belgian team certainly don't put too much emphasis on the defeat this afternoon, as ultimately the goal is the Tour de France, and Evenepoel is climbing better than 12 months ago in the same race. "We still have some work to do, but it's certainly not dramatic. We have to stay calm and keep working." Evenepoel will enter stage 7 of the Dauphiné in fourth place, 1:22 minutes down on Pogacar but only 28 seconds away from the potential podium spot currently occupied by Florian Lipowitz.