Tadej Pogacar continued his impressive performance at the Critérium du Dauphiné by securing his 98th career stage win and solidifying his hold on the yellow jersey. After fending off Jonas Vingegaard on the challenging Queen Stage, Pogacar is now the favorite to win with only one day left in the competition.

During the penultimate stage, Pogacar's teammate Pavel Sivakov set a blistering pace at the start of the final climb to Valmeinier ski resort, thinning out the leading pack. With 12km remaining, Pogacar accelerated, leaving Vingegaard and Florian Lipowitz as his closest competitors.

Despite Vingegaard's persistent pursuit, Pogacar maintained a commanding lead, crossing the finish line 14 seconds ahead of his rival. Pogacar expressed satisfaction with his performance, acknowledging the challenging conditions of the climb and his ability to defend his position.

With one stage remaining, Pogacar extended his lead over Vingegaard to 1:01, with Lipowitz trailing by 2:01 and Remco Evenepoel in fourth place, 4:11 behind the leader.

Throughout the stage, Vingegaard's team attempted multiple attacks to unsettle Pogacar, but the Slovenian rider and his team remained resilient. Pogacar highlighted the team's strategy to control the climbs and praised their defensive efforts against Visma's aggressive tactics.

Looking ahead to the final stage of the race, Pogacar aims to secure another victory as he prepares for the upcoming Tour de France. His latest stage win not only solidifies his lead in the Critérium du Dauphiné but also sets a new record for the most stage wins by an active rider.

As the competition draws to a close, Pogacar's dominant performance positions him as a strong contender for future cycling events, showcasing his exceptional talent and determination on the road.