Carlos Verona (Movistar) won stage 7 of the Critérium du Dauphins in Vaujany, holding off a strong chase form new overall race leader Primo Rogli (Jumbo-Visma).

Verona was also the last man standing and the fastest of the day's original breakaway. On the last climb, he had enough force left in his legs to win solo by 13 seconds over Rogli and 25 seconds over his Jumbo-Visma colleague Jonas Vingegaard." Now that I have a victory on my Palmares, it's fantastic," he remarked.

This victory belongs to my squad. We haven't had the best of luck, but we will return more robust than before. It's also for my household, including my wife and children; we're a team. I compete here, and they cheer me on as well.

When we work hard for others on the team, it doesn't happen very frequently, but now and again, you get an opportunity. This was my day, and I triumphed."

"It was about having the courage to be up there or go for it on a difficult day, and riding-wise, Kenny Elissonde was a formidable opponent, so I had no choice but to go for it. We had been racing each other all day, and the fall was quick.

"I knew I had to start from the bottom on the last hill because the group was just behind us." I didn't have anything left near the end, so I ran for it, not thinking back and prepared to be caught. I knew they were there, so I had to push myself to the edge. Everything worked out in the end." Verona said of his race so being in the day there breakaway.

Rogli capitalized on his Jumbo-Visma team's stunning show of power on the last hill into Vaujany to take over the aggregate race lead from his colleague and previous winner, Wout van Aert. As the race heads into the 138.8km stage 8 finish from Saint-Alban-Leysse to Plateau de Salaison, he now leads by 44 seconds over colleague Vingegaard and 1:24 over AG2R Citroen Team's Ben O'Connor.

Rogli was pleased to be wearing the yellow leader's jersey, but he was not optimistic about finishing the competition on Sunday. "I'm more yellow, but I'm used to it," he said, referring to the yellow and black Jumbo-Visma colors. "Carlos Verona was a fierce competitor determined to win the stage."

We weren't aiming for a stage victory. We went back to look for some positive emotions. I felt good today, which is why I was able to leave at the end.

"I'm overjoyed. I just got back from a spring training, where I didn't do much in intensity. This race has aided my recovery. I'm improving and regaining my legs the way things are going."

Rogli was modest about his objectives, implying that he would be content even if Vingegaard won the last mountain stage on Sunday.

"I'm going to go all out." It makes no difference whether I win or lose; it's still training for me. It'll be even greater if we triumph as a team. As a result, we must be upbeat. We'll go for it with all of the guys and all we've shown," he said.

"I often maintain that the better we are as individuals, the better we are as a group." We must work together to benefit each other. We know that tomorrow is the Queen level, the final one and that we must be present and give it our all.

What happened and how it happened?

The Critérium du Dauphiné stage 7 was described as one of the most challenging days of the year, with 3,828 meters of climbing in just 134.8 kilometers of racing, including the powerful Col du Galibier and the Col de la Croix de Fer.

Most riders warmed up on rollers, but Chris Froome (Isreal-Premier Tech) pulled out due to illness, and sprinter Dylan Groenewegen (BikeExchange-Jayco) also chose to stay home to escape the pain.

As soon as they rolled out of Saint-Chaffrey, riders and teams pushed to get in the breakaway along the fast route to the Col du Lautaret and into the Galibier.

Pierre Rolland (B&B Hotels-KTM) was perhaps the most offensive once again, although teams pursued him several times as they attempted to insert riders in the move. The Frenchman eventually broke away as the Galibier got going, but he was quickly joined by Bora-Matteo Hansgrohe's Fabbro and others.

Rolland was the first to reach the top and was the first to descend to Valloire and then to the Col du Télégraphe, where he arrived in Saint Martin de Maurienne. Andrey Amador (Ineos Grenadiers), Luis Leon Sanchez (Bahrain Victorious), Gregor Muhlberger, Carlos Verona (Movistar), Bruno Armirail (Groupama-FDJ), Omer Goldstein (Israel Premier Tech), Dries Devenyns (Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl), Andres Ardila (UAE Team Emirates), Kenny Elissonde.

After 75 kilometers, the 29-kilometre road up the Col de la Croix de Fer began, and Britain's Donovan was the first to move, establishing a 45-second lead. Trek-Segafredo, on the other hand, had Stuyvens offer himself as a sacrifice for Elissonde and Skujins, and he used his physical strength to drag Donovan back halfway up the climb.

As the finest riders rose to the front, the break rapidly disintegrated, and they rode into thin air. Elissonde, Verona, Rolland, and Gregor Muhlberger (Movistar) took the lead once Donovan was apprehended. Elissonde continued to assault to gain time in the race, ultimately losing his temper with the Movistar riders as they collaborated.

Jumbo-Visma led the peloton for most of the Col de la Croix de Fer. For much of the Col de la Croix de Fer, Jumbo-Visma led the peloton, but Uno-X rapidly regained control, confirming Jumbo-lack Visma's dominance.

Soon after, Van Aert retreated and broke with only 2 kilometers to the peak. Plan B for Jumbo-Visma was Rogli and Vingegaard.

Over the Col de la Croix de Fer summit, Rolland took maximum points once more, and the struggle for the stage victory erupted on the descent.

Verona and Elissonde got away on the lengthy valley route down to Lac de Grand Maison, which involves numerous little rises. Elissonde was never satisfied, but the two built a 25-second gap over the crest of the track as Jack Haig battled for team captain Damiano Caruso.

Verona and Elissonde got away on the lengthy valley route down to Lac de Grand Maison, which involves numerous little rises. Elissonde was never pleased, but the two opened a 25-second gap over the crest of the Col de la Croix de Fer while Jack Haig worked for team captain Damiano Caruso. An attack on the descent appeared on the cards, but it never materialized. Instead, the GC group stuck together as they awaited the final climb to Vaujany.

Verona and Elissonde sped down the drop and the various ramps, putting distance between them and their opponents. Could they, however, hold off the GC peloton?

As AG2R led the line for Ben O'Connor, they started the 5.7km climb with a 1:40 advantage.

David Gaudu was replaced by Groupama-FDJ. The Frenchman aimed to win the stage, while the Australian wished to boost his overall position.

Verona saw the pursuit was on and struck alone, edging Elissonde further away. He maintained a 1:00 lead until the last three kilometers. Vingegaard tracked down various surges to break the GC group before launching his own. As a critical selection was made, Geoghegan Hart, Caruso, and others were dropped.

Rogli was present but chose to wait, allowing Vingegaard to capture Elissonde and almost Verona. Verona completed the rise with a kilometer to go and began the descent to the finish. Roglic, on the other hand, pushed, cutting the lead to 15 seconds at the finish line. 

Verona was exhausted but delved deep but never looked back, managing to keep her distance. Rogli came in 13 seconds behind Vingegaard and 12 seconds ahead of him. Everybody was farther back, giving Rogli a 44-second lead over his partner, a 1:24 lead over O'Connor, and a 1:30 lead over Geoghegan Hart.

With only the 138.8-kilometre mountain stage from Saint-Alban-Leysse  Plateau de Salaison on Sunday, Rogli's biggest challenge may be his form and partner.