Riding an outstanding performance, Pogacar clinches victory at Fleche Wallonne.
In the rain-soaked Ardennes, Tadej Pogacar charged up the notorious Mur de Huy on Wednesday, reclaiming the La Flèche Wallonne title after a grueling 205km journey over 11 grueling climbs. The three-time Tour de France champion, his face caked with mud, managed a rare smile at the finish line, just edging out Frenchman Kevin Vauquelin and Briton Tom Pidcock.
Vauquelin, a force to reckon with in races ending with a sharp, steep hill, finished a close second for the second year in a row. Pidcock, fresh from joining Q36.5 team after leaving Ineos, put in a commendable performance in the competitive field.
Remco Evenepoel, Belgium's bright hope, found himself in the thick of the race until the final stretch, eventually fading to ninth as Pogacar found a gear few could match.
La Flèche Wallonne, part of the prestigious Ardennes Classics trio alongside Amstel Gold Race and Liège–Bastogne–Liège, is renowned for its iconic finish on the Mur de Huy, a notoriously steep 1.3km climb averaging 9.6% gradient.
Pogacar, fresh from winning the Tour of Flanders on April 6, seemed weary but thrilled after his performance. "It's a beautiful place, but as a cyclist, you don't love it so much, such a tough finish," the Team UAE Emirates leader said.
The race culminated on the Mur de Huy, a testament to its fearsome reputation. Pogacar made his winning move when Irishman Ben Healy, who finished fifth, drew level with him. "I said 'Okay, he looks fast,' so I accelerated," Pogacar recounted. "When I looked over my shoulder, no one was there. But really, that's the hardest kilometre in cycling."
This victory marked a return to winning ways for Pogacar after his second-place finishes at Paris-Roubaix and the Amstel Gold Race. Despite Skjelmose being highly fancied, he, along with several other riders, slipped out of the race on a slippery corner about 40km from home. Evenepoel's teammate Thibau Nys, tipped to challenge Pogacar on the final climb, eventually came eighth, possibly due to Skjelmose's early exit.
A tenacious escape group held on until the final ascent, signifying the race favorites' reluctance to make a long-range bid for glory. Many of Wednesday's competitors will likely return for the Liege-Bastogne-Liege 'Monument' over 252km, where an escape is more likely to succeed.
Established in 1936 and gaining iconic status for its grueling finish on the Mur de Huy, La Flèche Wallonne has become a staple of Belgian cycling culture, attracting massive crowds and serving as a crucial test ahead of Liège–Bastogne–Liège. Legends like Eddy Merckx and Moreno Argentin have triumphed here, and Tadej Pogačar added to this legacy with his 2025 victory, showcasing his versatility and resilience.
- Remco Evenepoel, a promising cyclist from Belgium, initially held his ground in the race but eventually faded towards the end, finishing in ninth place.
- Despite Samuel Skjelmose being highly anticipated, he and several other riders fell out of the race on a dangerous corner approximately 40km from the finish, impacting the results.
- The commendable performance given by Kevin Vauquelin, known for his strength in races with steep climbs, earned him a second-place finish for the second consecutive year.
