After breaking away from a group of six riders, the duo battled it out in the final 500 metres of the climb before Pogačar edged Roglič in a sprint to the line in Ermualde.

Pogačar of UAE Team Emirates won the 167.7-kilometre stage in 4 hours 4min 50sec as Roglič of Team Jumbo-Visma had to settle for second place, but was given the same time.

Spain’s Alejandro Valverde of Movistar Team was five seconds behind in third, finishing ahead of Britain's Adam Yates of Ineos Grenadiers and fellow Spaniard Mikel Landa Meana of Bahrain Victorious.

It was Pogačar's fifth stage win of 2021 as he put the pressure on Roglič at the International Cycling Union WorldTour event in Spain.

"This success makes me very happy because, after racing here in the Basque Country two years ago, I have always had the ambition to come back and do well," said Pogačar.

"It is a very beautiful race and the enthusiasm of the fans is really amazing.

"There are still three days of racing, all quite hard.

"I’m pretty optimistic because the condition is good and the team is racing very well together."

With three stages to go, Pogačar has climbed to second place in the general classification, 20sec behind Roglič.

American Brandon McNulty of UAE Team Emirates lies in third, 30sec off the leader.

Competition is set to continue tomorrow with the 189.2km fourth stage from Gasteiz to Hondarribia.