UAE Team Emirates rider Tadej Pogacar back on top with big win
With the look of a man keen to stand on the top step of the podium again, Tadej Pogacar decimated his opposition to win La Flèche Wallonne on Wednesday afternoon, with the Slovenian taking his second title in three years.
The UAE Team Emirates-XRG rider gained a note of retribution for Sunday's runner-up spot at the Amstel Gold Race, by attacking with 500m to go of the Mur de Huy and crossing the finish line some 10 seconds ahead of the next-best rider.
'It is a really great feeling to win again here on this tough final. It is a beautiful climb, but as a cyclist you don't like it so much. Also today the weather was not the best, so it was a really tough race and to pull it off with the win means a lot," Pogacar said.
Making his attack whilst seated in his saddle, the world champion powered away from the rest of the peloton and would not be seen again before the finish. It was an attack made on the corner named in honour of the two-time champion Claude Criquielion, and just like the great Belgian, Pogačar emerged victorious at Flèche Wallonne sporting the rainbow bands as world champion.
He becomes the first to do so since Julian Alaphilippe in 2021 and with Liège-Bastogne-Liège on the horizon this coming Sunday, the Slovenian looks in great condition to fight for a third title at La Doyenne. With his victory in the midweek showdown, Pogačar claimed his third win in just six outings in the spring Classics, none of which have seen the 26-year-old finish off the podium.
'It was tough conditions on the race and one of the hardest final kilometres in cycling. It was a bit cold and tough conditions in general. I am really really happy that I could win today because the team came here to work for this goal, and I am really happy that I could deliver for them," he said.
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