Tadej Pogačar soloed to an emphatic third Liège–Bastogne–Liège victory after attacking 34 kilometres from the finish on the Côte de la Redoute. The Slovenian cyclist from UAE Team Emirates-XRG, already a two-time winner of this prestigious Monument, showcased his incredible form, having previously triumphed at La Flèche Wallonne just days before. Pogačar's performance was nothing short of extraordinary, further solidifying his status as one of the sport's all-time greats.
Pogačar's decisive move came with 35 kilometers remaining in the race. With a powerful seated acceleration, he left his rivals behind, quickly building a significant lead. By the time he crossed the finish line in Liège, he had established an impressive gap of over a minute ahead of the competition.
Giulio Ciccone from Lidl-Trek finished second, while Ben Healy from EF Education-EasyPost secured third place. The duo fought hard to keep pace with Pogačar but ultimately could not match his relentless pace. Simone Velasco of XDS-Astana led the bunch sprint to claim fourth place, just ahead of Thibau Nys of Lidl-Trek.
As the race unfolded, a 12-rider breakaway formed early on, gaining a substantial lead over the peloton. Among them were notable names like Jack Haig from Bahrain Victorious and Ineos Grenadiers' Bob Jungels and Tobias Foss. However, as the race progressed, their advantage dwindled. The breakaway began to shatter on the steep gradients of the Côte de Stockeu, and by the time they reached the Col du Rosier, they were caught by the peloton.
With the famous Côte de la Redoute looming, the tension in the race intensified. Pogačar, aware of the critical moment, launched his attack almost immediately upon reaching the climb. His rivals, including Tom Pidcock and Julian Alaphilippe, attempted to respond but found themselves unable to keep pace. Pogačar quickly opened a gap of around 10 seconds at the summit, and from there, he never looked back.
As the kilometers ticked down, Pogačar's lead grew to nearly 90 seconds with just 15 kilometers left in the race. His dominance was evident as he powered through the final climbs, showcasing the strength and endurance that have defined his remarkable season. The world champion's performance was a testament to his preparation and tactical acumen, as he expertly navigated the challenging terrain.
In the aftermath of his victory, Pogačar reflected on the race, stating, "It feels great to finish the first part of the season like this. The whole season so far went perfect, I'm so happy." He acknowledged the absence of his main rival, Remco Evenepoel, as a motivating factor for his aggressive strategy. "I thought I'd test my legs a bit and see if I got a gap on the top where I would then decide if I continued or not. Then I just committed when I saw that I did as I had good legs on the second climb after La Redoute," Pogačar explained.
Evenepoel, the two-time defending champion, had a disappointing day, finishing nearly four minutes behind Pogačar in 59th place. His struggles were evident as he failed to position himself effectively during the critical moments of the race. Pogačar noted, "At first, Quick-Step were controlling the bunch and racing on the front all day. Then at one point they all disappeared from the front. I was thinking maybe they were saving their legs for La Redoute, but then I looked around and he wasn’t close on my wheel, but that was also good motivation to go at that point."
Pogačar's victory marked his third Liège-Bastogne-Liège title, adding to his previous wins in 2021 and 2024. This latest triumph also made him only the second rider in history, after cycling legend Eddy Merckx, to win both the Tour of Flanders and Liège-Bastogne-Liège in the same year. With nine Monument wins to his name, Pogačar now ranks among the all-time greats, joining the likes of Fausto Coppi and Sean Kelly.
As the spring classics season comes to a close, Pogačar's performance has set a high bar for his competitors. His earlier victories in Strade Bianche, Tour of Flanders, and La Flèche Wallonne illustrate a season filled with dominance and consistency. The 26-year-old will now take a well-deserved break before returning to racing at the Critérium du Dauphiné in June, where he will aim to prepare for his next major objective—the Tour de France in July.
In summary, Pogačar's victory at Liège-Bastogne-Liège showcased not only his physical prowess but also his strategic brilliance on the bike. As he continues to build on his remarkable career, fans and analysts alike will be eager to see what the future holds for this extraordinary athlete.
