Cycling star Pogačar wins Liège–Bastogne–Liège for third time. Kim Le Court takes women's race
The defending champion made his move some 35 kilometers (22 miles) from the end of the undulating 252-kilometer (156-mile) trek to open up a gap of 10 seconds at the top, and then kept increasing it all the way to the line.
It was his third victory overall at the spring classic race, which is also one of the five 'monuments' in one-day cycling along with Paris-Roubaix on the cobbles, the Tour of Lombardy, Milan-San Remo and the Tour of Flanders.
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
Pogačar now has nine 'monument' victories.
He was so far ahead Sunday that he even had time to turn and smile at the roadside camera filming him, then touched hands with fans near the finish before raising his arms in the air with victory assured.
He won in just over six hours and finished 1 minute, 3 seconds ahead of Italian Giulio Ciccone in second and Irishman Ben Healy in third. They contested a sprint to the line.
In decent racing conditions, Pogačar's UAE Team Emirates teammates increased the speed at the front of the main pack and the peloton caught a small group of front-runners with 60 kilometers to go, and with the main favorites still in contention.
But when Pogačar surged ahead on the Côte de La Redoute climb, no rider could follow him.
It was a similar story on Wednesday, when Pogačar launched a trademark uphill attack to win the Flèche Wallonne classic for the second time.
The 26-year-old Slovenian will aim to win the showcase Tour de France for the fourth time later this year.
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
It was a disappointing race for two-time champion Remco Evenepoel as the Belgian rider was dropped by Pogačar up the Redoute climb.
The two-time Olympic champion could not gain any time back and instead dropped down to finish in 59th place, 3:11 behind Pogačar.
Le Court stuns race favorites
Mauritian rider Kim Le Court won the women's race for the first time as four riders contested a sprint finish.
The 2023 champion Demi Vollering attacked first but Le Court countered her and then held off Dutchwoman Puck Pieterse, who won the Flèche Wallonne classic on Wednesday.
Pieterse finished second ahead of countrywoman Vollering and French rider Cédrine Kerbaol in fourth.
The four riders completed the 152.9-kilometer (94.8-mile) route in 4 hours, 15 minutes, 42 seconds.
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
It was the first classics win for the 29-year-old Le Court.
Kerbaol broke ahead near the end and led by 14 seconds with 11 kilometers left and threatened to extend her advantage, but Pieterse went after her.
World road race champion Lotte Kopecky of Belgium could not follow and cracked in the final climb up Roche-aux-Faucons.
But Pieterse, Vollering and Le Court caught Kerbaol with a few kilometers remaining to make it a four-way sprint finish.
Kopecky rolled in fifth, 24 seconds behind. ___
AP sports: https://apnews.com/sports
Read more cycling news at thestar.com
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Winnipeg Free Press
3 minutes ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
No. 1 Texas, No. 2 Penn State each place 3 players on Associated Press preseason All-America college football team
NEW YORK (AP) — No. 1 Texas, No. 2 Penn State each place 3 players on Associated Press preseason All-America college football team.
Winnipeg Free Press
33 minutes ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Auburn will formally retire QB Cam Newton's No. 2 jersey during game against Georgia
AUBURN, Ala. (AP) — Auburn will retire 2010 Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton's No. 2 jersey this fall, making him the fourth player in program history to receive the honor. The ceremony will take place during Auburn's home game against rival Georgia on Oct. 11. Newton will join Pat Sullivan (No. 7), Bo Jackson (No. 34) and Terry Beasley (No. 88) as former Tigers football players whose numbers are formally retired. The jerseys of Sullivan and Beasley were retired following Sullivan's 1971 Heisman Trophy season, and Jackson's number was retired as part of Auburn's football centennial celebration in 1992. No one has worn No. 2 at Auburn since Newton and the Tigers beat Oregon in the Bowl Championship Series national title game for the 2010 season. But soon it will be officially out of service. 'Auburn will always be home to me,' Newton said in a statement. 'The national championship we won in 2010 was a special moment, and to have my jersey retired … is an incredible honor that I'll cherish forever. War Eagle!' One of the most decorated players in Auburn and Southeastern Conference history, Newton led Auburn to conference and national titles with a perfect 14-0 record. He threw for 2,854 yards and 30 touchdowns while rushing for 1,473 yards and 20 more scores. He became the first player in SEC history to pass for more than 2,000 yards and rush for more than 1,000 yards in a single season. 'Cam Newton not only led Auburn to a national championship in 2010, but he produced one of the most prolific seasons ever by a college football player,' Auburn athletic director John Cohen said. 'Retiring Cam's jersey number is a fitting way to celebrate his lasting impact on Auburn University and Auburn Athletics for all time.' ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP college football: and
Winnipeg Free Press
33 minutes ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
South Africa's Kolisi and Du Toit ruled out of Rugby Championship clash with Australia
CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — Captain Siya Kolisi and Pieter-Steph du Toit have been ruled out injured from playing for South Africa against Australia in the Rugby Championship this weekend. Beside the back-rowers, both wingers from the 38-22 loss to the Wallabies last Saturday at Ellis Park were also out. Kurt-Lee Arendse had a knee injury like Kolisi, and Edwill van der Merwe had an ankle issue. Du Toit was concussed. The good news for the Boks was the return to fitness of backs Cheslin Kolbe and Damian de Allende for the second round in Cape Town on Saturday. 'Their experience is always valuable to the team,' coach Rassie Erasmus said on Monday. Center Jesse Kriel will captain South Africa in the absence of Kolisi, Erasmus added. He will name the team on Tuesday. Erasmus said the defending champions were aware of what they needed to fix after being shocked by Australia at home for the first time in 11 years. 'There's still a lot of frustration and disappointment but we know what we did wrong. They totally outplayed us, they scored some tries that weren't even from phases, and they gave us a hiding at the breakdown,' he said. 'We have our backs against the wall, and we know we have to make it right. 'Everyone is embarrassed and disappointed but I believe that will make us tighter as a team. One tends to learn a lot from a defeat and that's surely something we'll carry into this week.' ___ AP rugby:
