Tadej Pogacar’s sensational form continued unabated Wednesday when a late surge on a fabled steep finale landed the UAE leader the Fleche Wallonne.
Pogacar skipped over the summit finish a couple of bike lengths clear, the Slovenian rider raising his arms aloft for the 12th time so far this season.
Mattias Skjelmose was second and Mikel Landa was third after the 194km race that culminated with one of the most feared climbs in cycling, the Mur de Huy, just 1.3km long but with sections at 17 percent.
“That was tough, totally spectacular,” Pogacar said. “None of the other teams helped us, we were on our own today.”
Skjelmose said he was happy with second behind such a rider as Pogacar, explaining how the winner had bided his time.
Landa was resigned to his podium spot.
“There was no way to beat Pogacar, he’s over and above the rest of us and there’s nothing we can do about it,” said Landa.
Pogacar won the Amstel Gold Race 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.
¡¡¡VICTORIA DE TADEJ POGACAR!! Doblete del esloveno en las Ardenas, "no hay duda alguna de que Tadej Pogacar es un extraterrestre". Segundo puesto para Skjelmose Mattias Jensen y tercero Miquel Landa, que cierra el podio de la Flecha Valona 2023.??? pic.twitter.com/6yAtUtyf3a
— ⚡Maza⚡ (@MazaCiclismo) April 19, 2023
