Magnificent Pogacar soars to Fleche Wallonne triumph

Huy, Belgium: Tadej Pogacar powered up the steepest part of the final Ardennes hill Wednesday to reclaim the Fleche Wallonne classic title after a cold and rainy 205km slog over 11 climbs.

With a mud-splattered face, the three-time Tour de France champion could barely raise a smile at the finish line, as plucky Frenchman Kevin Vauquelin emerged second and Briton Tom Pidcock third.

The 23-year-old Vauquelin was also runner-up last year, proving he will often be a force in races culminating with a short, sharp hill. Pidcock, having quit Ineos in the close season for the second-tier Q36.5 team, can also be proud of a fine finish in a strong field.

Winner of the Brabantse Pijl last Friday on his comeback from injury, Belgian hope Remco Evenepoel was right in the thick of the race before fading to ninth over the last 200m as Pogacar switched into a gear nobody else could find.

More than just a warm-up race for Sunday’s Liege-Bastogne-Liege raced in the same region, but 50km longer, this race runs through the Ardennes forest but over 11 of the region’s steepest climbs. Pogacar, who last won at the Tour of Flanders on April 6, was clearly tired but delighted after his latest efforts.

“It’s a beautiful place, but as a cyclist you don’t like it so much, such a tough finish,” said the Team UAE Emirates leader. “It’s a really great feeling, the weather wasn’t so good but winning again is all that counts. We worked well as a team today and we’ll have a similar one for Sunday at Liege,” said the 26-year-old, who won at Liege last year in the absence of the injured Evenepoel. Wednesday’s race culminated with the fearsome Mur de Huy, just 1.3km in length but with gradients hitting 19 percent with an average of 9.6.