What adjectives can classify what Tadej Pogacar did on Sunday in Switzerland? The Slovenian has just become long-distance world champion, after attacking 100 kilometers from the finish line, that's right, you read that right, a hundred kilometers from the finish line! The 26-year-old Emirati cyclist surprised the field from afar, and with the exception of Frenchman Pavel Sivakov, who accompanied him for some time until the last 50 kilometers, no one caught up with him after he completed this final part of the race. The road alone.
Related to
In the last 20 kilometers, the Slovenian showed some wear, as he saw off his opponents, including Belgian Remco Evenepoel (double Olympic champion in Paris 2024 and two-time world champion in time trials), and Dutchman Mathieu van der Poel (title and closed the gap but fought back to finish 34 seconds ahead). A second ahead of Australian Ben O'Connor and 58 seconds behind Mathieu van der Poel, who won the bronze medal after the gold medal in 2023. Remco also ranked fifth, 58 seconds behind.
Having made history, becoming the first rider, after Marco Pantani in 1998, to win the Giro and the Tour in the same year, Pogacar adds the world title to these two achievements, in 2024 which will be no better… unless he now tries to win all three Grand Tours In stages in the same season. This is his goal as a cyclist, after what he has shown in his short career.
As for the Portuguese, Joao Almeida withdrew due to his fall in the first part of the 270-kilometre road.
At the finish line, the best was Rui Costa (EF), in 42nd place (at 6.38), followed by Nelson Oliveira (Movistar), in 55th place, also at the same time.
Ivo Oliveira, Rui Oliveira (both Emirates) and Afonso Olaliu (ABTF) were not finished. It is also worth noting that Rui Oliveira stood out in the early part of the World Cup, where he was part of the Escape for a long time.
“Writer. Communicator. Award-winning food junkie. Internet ninja. Incurable bacon fanatic.”