Today's Edition
Abu Dhabi (Aletihad)
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 Fleche Wallonne on Wednesday afternoon, with the Slovenian taking his second title in three years at the one-day race in Belgium.
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 final 500 metres of the Mur de Huy and crossing the finish line some 10 seconds ahead of the next-best rider.
For the Emirati squad, Vegard Stake Laengen and Domen Novak did plenty of pacesetting through the race's middle quarters. 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, Pogacar emerged victorious at Fleche Wallonne sporting the rainbow bands as world champion. He becomes the first to do so since Julian Alaphilippe in 2021.
Ten seconds down on the UAE Team Emirates-XRG man, Kevin Vauquelin sealed second place for Arkea-B&B Hotels, while Q36.5 Pro Cycling's Tom Pidcock took third at a 12-second deficit. Both riders were quick to congratulate Pogacar after the finish, the mutual respect apparent between three podium finishers who had battled through the elements to perform at their best in the afternoon.
In a repeat of last year's Fleche Wallonne, Belgium lashed the peloton with a barrage of rain, wind and less than moderate temperatures, forcing the riders to don rain jackets and wet-weather gear up until the finale. As the breakaway put on a show for the cameras, it was UAE Team Emirates-XRG, Soudal Quick-Step and Lidl-Trek who spearheaded the peloton.
Pogacar 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. With Liege-Bastogne-Liege on the horizon this coming Sunday, the Slovenian looks in great condition to fight for a third title at La Doyenne.
