UAE Team Emirates rider wins by a minute after a decisive attack on the Oude Kwaremont
Tadej Pogačar once again proved his dominance at the Tour of Flanders, securing his second victory in the prestigious race with an impressive solo performance. The Slovenian world champion’s decisive attack on the Oude Kwaremont with 17 kilometers to go sealed the victory, leaving his rivals trailing in his wake.
Pogačar’s triumph was not without its challenges, as the 26-year-old was tested repeatedly by his competitors. His first move came early, attacking on the second ascent of the Kwaremont in an attempt to break the race apart. Though he succeeded in distorting the field, it took an additional 30 kilometers of relentless effort before he could shake off Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek), Jasper Stuyven (Lidl-Trek), Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck), and Wout van Aert (Jumbo-Visma). Despite the difficulties, Pogačar’s power on the climbs and on the flat sections ultimately proved too much for his competitors.
“The first time I attacked, the guys were really strong, and the climbs that followed were tough,” Pogačar said after the race. “It was a hard decision, but I kept pushing on every climb to make the race difficult. In the end, it worked. I wasn’t sure at first, but I gave it everything I had and it paid off.”
Pogačar’s victory marks an incredible achievement, as he has now finished the Tour of Flanders three times, claiming two wins and a fourth-place finish. His ability to simply “fly away” from his rivals, as many have described, makes him a formidable force in cycling.
“The plan was to make the race as hard as possible, attacking on the second Kwaremont, and we executed that plan,” Pogačar explained. His initial attack was so powerful that it left the day’s breakaway, including Ineos Grenadiers’ Connor Swift, in his wake, showcasing his superiority.
Daan Hoole of Lidl-Trek, who had been part of an early breakaway attempt, expressed awe at Pogačar’s performance. “It’s crazy to see how easily he passed us. You can’t do more than what we did, but in the end, he’s just on another level. It’s scary to see how much better he is.”
Pedersen, the leader of the Lidl-Trek team, echoed these sentiments. “Tadej is on a completely different level than the rest of us. We couldn’t get any closer to him today. We just have to be happy with how we performed as a team and getting two riders to the final.”
Pogačar’s victory was made possible by his team’s tireless efforts, even though there were setbacks. Mikkel Bjerg, one of Pogačar’s teammates, had checked in with the team leader to ensure the pace was right 100 kilometers from the finish, a nod of approval confirming they were on track. Despite some crashes and setbacks—losing Jonny Narváez and Tim Wellens—Pogačar’s team ensured that he was well-supported throughout the race.
“In this kind of race, not everything goes perfectly,” Pogačar said. “But I’m really grateful for my team. Being part of this team is a dream come true. They gave 100% to the plan, and in the end, it worked.”
On the podium, Pogačar, donning the rainbow jersey of the world champion, appeared momentarily speechless. “Thank you to everyone for coming today, it was an amazing experience,” he said, visibly moved by the enthusiastic crowd. “The atmosphere was incredible throughout the whole race, especially on the climbs.”
Reflecting on the broader state of the sport, Pogačar was quick to acknowledge the talent surrounding him. “We have a really nice generation of cyclists. The top competitors are all champions in their own right. Racing against them makes today even more special.”
In the end, it was another unforgettable performance from one of cycling’s brightest stars. Pogačar’s victory at the Tour of Flanders reaffirmed his place as the best cyclist in the world—and, as he put it, “it was a perfect day.”
Related topics
- Cyclist’s Stolen Bike Returned in Pieces, but a New Ride is on the Way
- Joe Barr, 65, Continues to Excel in Ultra-Racing, Proving Age is No Barrier
- Powless Stuns Visma-Lease a Bike to Win Dwars door Vlaanderen