2023-04-16 21:09:26
With a face both smiling and serene, Tadej Pogacar crossed the finish line in Valkenburg before being congratulated by his UAE Emirates staff. He crushed the competition again in the Amstel Gold Race for his second appearance in the Dutch classic. Tadej Pogacar has decided to leave only crumbs to his opponents and to continue to build an already impressive record at 24 years old.
Fifteen days after his success in the Tour of Flanders, the Slovenian from UAE, twice winner of the Tour de France, once again showed that he was almost alone in the world by offering himself a new demonstration during the Amstel Gold Race which marks the passage from the Flandrian classics to the Ardennes. The new cannibal of the pelotons, able to shine (almost) on all terrains, has already won his 11th victory of the season after the Jaén Paraiso Interior, the Tour of Andalusia (plus 3 stages), Paris-Nice (plus 3 stages) and the Tour of Flanders.
It all happened 36 km from the finish. Just after changing bikes for a puncture, the Slovenian blew up the leading group. Only the Englishman Tom Pidcock (Ineos) was able to follow him, then a little later the Irishman Ben Healy (EF Education – Easypost). But he then distanced them from the first meters of the ascent of the Keutenberg (1.1 km at 6.8%), his two breakaway companions cracking up against his frank acceleration. 28 km from the finish, Pogacar could fly away. He won with a 38′ lead over Ben Healy and 2’14’ over Tom Pidcock, who cracked at the end.
His duel with world champion Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step), who skipped this Amstel Gold Race next Sunday during Liège-Bastogne-Liège is already promising. Pogacar won the Doyenne in 2021, Evenepoel in 2022.
“Van der Poel advised me to attack in the Keutenberg”
“It’s incredible today, smiles Pogacar. I didn’t expect the leading group to form so soon. I punctured then I came back. I did everything to win. I was able to change bikes before the last difficulties, it was hot, there was a lot of nervousness. The attack 80 km from the finish, I didn’t really understand. We were many, I took shelter in this group. We found ourselves in a good situation. Mathieu (Van der Poel, winner in 2019) had sent me a message three days ago to advise me to attack in the Keutenberg. It’s the hardest climb, the one that suited me the most… I’m going to thank him (smile). Now it’s time for Flèche Wallonne on Wednesday and Liège on Sunday. I’ve never had good results at La Flèche, but I’m in good shape and the team is doing well. »
For their part, the French had bad luck. David Gaudu, Valentin Madouas (Groupama-FDJ) crashed as did Dorian Godon (AG2R-Citroën), winner of the Flèche Brabançonne on Wednesday. The first Frenchman is Alex Zingle (Cofidis), 10th, just ahead of Valentin Madouas (11th) then Valentin Ferron (13th). Cited among the favorites after his second place last year, Benoît Cosnefroy (AG2R-Citroën) had to settle for 21st place.
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