Tadej Pogacar showcased his dominance once again at the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal, where he executed a spectacular solo victory with 23 kilometers to spare, reinforcing his status as one of the finest cyclists of his generation. This win, along with his previous exceptional performances this year, puts him firmly on track for the upcoming World Championships.
Competing under sunny skies with temperatures reaching 28 °C (82 °F), Pogacar's victory marked his 21st of the 2024 season, adding to his already impressive haul, which includes wins at the Tour de France and Giro d’Italia. The 25-year-old from Slovenia not only defended his title from 2022 but also earned his place among cycling legends, joining Greg Van Avermaet as the only multi-time winners of this prestigious race.
Before the race unfolded, expectations ran high for Pogacar, especially after he finished seventh at the Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec only days earlier. "I was disappointed, because I had such good legs...to bounce back after seventh to victory here, it's just an incredible feeling," he reflected post-race.
The race itself was set on the challenging 12.3-kilometer circuit around Mount Royal, where riders needed to endure the grueling 209.1 kilometers with nearly 4,573 meters of elevation gain. The course's hilly profile heavily favored climbers like Pogacar, and he didn't shy away from fulfilling his role as the frontrunner.
Initially, the race saw three riders pull away early, creating a gap of over six minutes from the peloton. Michael Leonard (INEOS Grenadiers), Gil Gelders (Soudal - Quick-Step), and Dries De Bondt (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Team) made up this escape group. UAE Team Emirates, Pogacar's squad, soon took charge, reeling the leaders back as the pace picked up. By the 50-kilometer mark, Leonard and Gelders were the last of the escapees to be caught, just as Matej Mohoric launched another attack.
With nearly 36 kilometers left, the dynamic shifted dramatically when Pogacar unleashed his anticipated attack on the Côte Camilien-Houde. That decisive moment saw him break away from the chasing pack, swiftly earning himself over 20 seconds of advantage within just three kilometers. By the time the 20-kilometer mark was reached, this lead had doubled, leaving competitors like Julian Alaphilippe and Pello Bilbao struggling to keep pace.
Despite the best efforts from the chasing group, which included notable riders like Alaphilippe and Bilbao, Pogacar's form proved insurmountable. He finished the race comfortably, having built up his lead to 35 seconds with one lap remaining. His final time was recorded at 5 hours 28 minutes and 15 seconds, crossing the finish line with arms held high, celebrating alongside enthusiastic crowds.
"It was fun to race here. The team did great, and my legs were fantastic on this beautiful, tough course. I can't wait for the World Championships; I'm ready," Pogacar stated, his excitement radiated among fans and fellow competitors alike.
Cherry-picking from the podium were Pello Bilbao and Julian Alaphilippe, who sprinted to secure second and third places respectively, both showcasing impressive resilience throughout the climactic parts of the race. Bilbao, who crossed the line 24 seconds behind Pogacar, noted, "He’s the greatest rider of all time, a formidable opponent... if you’re not at your very best, you can forget racing with him." This sentiment echoed through the bunch, as riders acknowledged Pogacar’s extraordinary capacity to dominate.
The gruelling efforts of the day were compounded by the heat, which added to the race’s intensity. Competitors struggled with the conditions, and few could match Pogacar’s relentless pace. Only 89 riders out of 169 completed the challenging circuit, highlighting the demand of the race.
Looking forward, Pogacar aims to carry this momentum, poised to compete at the UCI Road World Championships set to take place later this month in Zurich. The casual tone of his victory speech invites competitors to brace themselves for strong competition, hinting at his aspirations to achieve what only two other male riders have done before: winning three major titles within one season.
With the riders now turning their eyes to the European Championships, Pogacar’s stellar performance serves as both motivation and intimidation. He and fellow Slovenian Primož Roglič will lead their national team, marking them as top contenders for the world title. "Today gave me immense confidence and motivation; I think we are ready for the World Championships," Pogacar concluded, leaving fans and competitors alike eager for his next move.
