The cycling world was abuzz with excitement on Wednesday as Tadej Pogacar, the leader of the UAE Team Emirates, claimed the Fleche Wallonne one-day classic in Belgium. Pogacar’s superb form was on full display as he crossed the finish line a couple of bike lengths ahead of his competitors, raising his arms aloft in celebration for the 12th time this season.
The race, which covered a distance of 194km, culminated in the Mur de Huy, one of the most grueling climbs in cycling, with sections that reach a staggering 17 percent incline. Mattias Skjelmose of Denmark finished second, while Mikel Landa of Bahrain Victorious came in third.
Pogacar, who has won several one-day classic races this season, including the Amstel Gold and the Tour of Flanders, was pleased with his performance. “That was tough, totally spectacular,” he said. “None of the other teams helped us, we were on our own today.”
Skjelmose praised Pogacar’s calm and patient approach, stating that it was a sign of a great champion. Landa, on the other hand, acknowledged that there was no beating Pogacar, who he believes is on another level.
Pogacar’s victory at Fleche Wallonne has cemented his status as one of the most dominant riders in the sport. The 24-year-old is now setting his sights on his next challenge, the Liege-Bastogne-Liege, where he will go head-to-head with Remco Evenepoel, the defending champion from Belgium.
“I’m happy to be on such good form. And I’m taking full advantage of that. Winning is never boring,” Pogacar said.
The Fleche Wallonne race began in Herve, with eight riders breaking away early. However, the peloton caught up with them by the time they reached the Meuse river near Liege. On the final climb of the race, French climber Romain Bardet made a bid and was able to keep pace with Pogacar.
In addition to the men’s race, the Fleche Wallonne women’s race was also held earlier in the day. Demi Vollering, a 26-year-old Dutch cyclist, claimed her second Ardennes classic in four days as she emerged victorious for the Fleche Wallonne women’s race. Vollering has had an extraordinary classics season, having won the Amstel Gold Race on Sunday as well as the Strade Bianche and Dwars door Vlaanderen last month.
Pogacar, 24, won the Amstel Gold classic on Sunday and the Tour of Flanders earlier this month, stepping up his quest to collect classic one-day races before his main target in France this July. This weekend Pogacar faces a mouth-watering duel with Remco Evenepoel at Liege-Bastogne-Liege, with the Belgian defending champion tasked with taming the 2021 title-winner.
The peloton embarked from Herve on an overcast day with cool spring temperatures as a group of eight riders broke early. By the time the race hit the Meuse river near Liege, however, the peloton was breathing down the neck of the remnants of that escapade.
On the final climb itself French climber Romain Bardet made a bid, and was one of an elite clutch to cling on to Pogacar’s shirt tails. Bardet will be one to watch at Liege at the weekend. Demi Vollering took her second Ardennes classic in four days as she again dropped her rivals on the final climb to win the Fleche Wallonne women’s race earlier in the day.
As cycling enthusiasts eagerly await the upcoming Liege-Bastogne-Liege race, there is no denying that Pogacar’s recent victories have positioned him as a top contender in the sport. His impressive performances this season have left fans and fellow riders in awe, and there is no doubt that he will continue to be a force to be reckoned with in the world of cycling.
