'Can Go Home Happy': Tadej Pogacar Wins Criterium du Dauphine Ahead Of Tour de France

“Once again today, the team did a great job," Pogacar said. “We managed to defend the jersey and we can go home happy and prepare for the Tour."

Pogacar will aim for his fourth Tour de France title in July.

The Slovenian finished third on Sunday, recording the same time as his main rival, two-time Tour champion Vingegaard of Visma-Lease a Bike, who came in second.

Lenny Martinez won the final stage for Bahrain Victorious, completing it in 3 hours, 34 minutes, and 18 seconds, atop the Plateau du Mont-Cenis on the French-Italian border. The French rider finished 34 seconds ahead of Vingegaard and Pogacar.

Pogacar responded effortlessly to Vingegaard’s attack on the final climb to Col du Mont-Cenis in a challenging race that Tour contenders use to fine-tune their preparations.

After winning the opening stage by outsprinting Vingegaard and Mathieu van der Poel, Pogacar went on the offensive in the mountains.

He took control by winning the sixth stage on Friday, reaching the finish line alone to beat Vingegaard by 1:01 and take an overall lead of 43 seconds over the Dane.

He clinched the seventh stage on Saturday in a similar manner, defeating Vingegaard by 14 seconds and extending his overall lead to 1:01.

Sunday’s stage marked the final day of Romain Bardet’s professional career. The Frenchman, who is retiring, finished second in the 2016 Tour.