Pogacar fooled Vingegaard and Visma with time trial bluff, says Danielson: “They’re still in the dark about him”

**Pogacar Fooled Vingegaard and Visma with Time Trial Bluff, Says Danielson: “They’re Still in the Dark About Him”**

*June 10, 2025 — Critérium du Dauphiné, France*

In the aftermath of Tadej Pogačar’s commanding performance in the opening stages of the Critérium du Dauphiné, retired pro and cycling analyst Tom Danielson has raised eyebrows with a bold claim: Pogačar may have deliberately held back during the time trial to mislead his rivals—especially Jonas Vingegaard and Team Visma-Lease a Bike—about his true form heading into the Tour de France.

“He played them,” Danielson stated during a post-stage analysis on Global Cycling Network. “That time trial? It was all part of the plan. He didn’t go full gas. Visma think they’ve got a read on him, but I don’t think they do. They’re still in the dark.”

Danielson points to power file inconsistencies, subtle body language, and the controlled nature of Pogačar’s effort as signs that the Slovenian superstar was keeping something in reserve. “It’s classic Pogi—smile, distract, detonate later.”

Pogačar, who has already shown dominant climbing form earlier in the week, was notably subdued in the individual time trial, finishing behind several key rivals. Yet the UAE Team Emirates camp appeared unfazed, even relaxed, which further fuels Danielson’s speculation.

Visma-Lease a Bike, still analyzing their leader Vingegaard’s recovery trajectory after his early-season crash, had reportedly considered the Dauphiné a key opportunity to size up Pogačar’s readiness. But Danielson warns that whatever data they gleaned may be a smokescreen.

“Pogačar is playing psychological chess while everyone else is on checkers,” he said. “If he’s saving the real numbers for July, Visma might not see what’s coming until it’s too late.”

UAE Team Emirates has not commented on the claim, and Pogačar himself simply laughed off post-race questions about tactics. “I just pedal,” he said with a grin. “Sometimes slower, sometimes faster.”

With just weeks to go until the Grand Départ in Florence, speculation around mind games and form is only heating up. If Danielson’s bluff theory holds any truth, Tour de France 2025 could be the most unpredictable edition yet.