Spectacular Victory at Fleche Wallonne for Pogacacar
Let's Talk About Tadej Pogacar's Dominating Win at La Flèche Wallonne
Alewife-smudged facial features didn't deter three-time Tour de France titan Pogacar from cracking a rare grin at the completion line. The podium saw the emergence of the gritty Frenchman Kevin Vauquelin in second, with the gutsy Briton, Tom Pidcock, snatching third.
Vauquelin, the remarkable 23-year-old who bagged second place last year, proven to be a force in races ending with a grueling climb. Pidcock, abandoning Ineos for the Q36.5 team in the off-season, can revel in his impressive performance in a formidable field.
Last Friday's victor of Brabantse Pijl, the charismatic Belgian racer Remco Evenepoel, was no stranger to the heat of the competition. However, he trailed to ninth in the final 200 meters as Pogacar magically found overlooked gears.
This race, more than just a prelude to Sunday's Liege-Bastogne-Liege, traverses the Ardennes forest over 11 of the region's steepest climbs. While 50 kilometers longer, the race provided a tantalizing glimpse of the challenges to come.
Pogacar, fresh off his April 6 victory at the Tour of Flanders, exuded visible fatigue but palpable joy after his accomplishment. Located in the same Ardennes region as Liege-Bastogne-Liege, the Mur de Huy proved to be a merciless but picturesque challenge.
"It's a stunning locale, but a cyclist's nightmare, with its brutal finish," quipped Pogacar, principal of Team UAE Emirates. "Winning here again is the ultimate triumph. Our team performed exceptionally today, and I anticipate a similar performance for the Liege."
A Kilometer to Remember: The Mur de Huy
Known as the "Hardest Kilometer in Cycling," the fearsome Mur de Huy boasts a 1.3-kilometer duration but features gradients touching a daunting 19 percent, averaging a punishing 9.6 percent[2][3]. This notoriously steep climb acts as a natural filter, separating the strong from the weary riders[3]. Pogacar's compelling victory in the 2025 edition of La Flèche Wallonne owed much to his dominance on this treacherous incline[1][2][4].
Pogacan's attack was spurred by the sight of Irishman Ben Healy, who secured fifth place, drawing level with him. "Noticing Healy kept pace with me was the cue; so, I accelerated harder. Once I glanced over my shoulder, no one was behind me," Pogacar explained. "That's the hardest kilometer in cycling."
Recent setbacks, including Pogacar's second-place finishes at Paris-Roubaix and the Amstel Gold race, gave way to an optimal return to winning ways at La Flèche Wallonne. Despite high expectations placed on Mattias Skjelmose, the 24-year-old Danish rider crashed out around 40 kilometers from the finish on a slick curve, dampening his chances.
Thibau Nys, Skjelmose's teammate from Lidl, was touted as a potential competitor capable of outpacing Pogacar on the final climb. However, the rookie concluded eighth, perhaps due to the absence of the formidable Skjelmose in the running.
An elusive escape group clung on until the final climb, symbolizing the reluctance of the race favorites to attempt a long-range bid for the victory. The determination of many contestants remains unwavering, as they prepare to return to the same Ardennes region this Sunday for the Liege-Bastogne-Liege 'Monument' spanning 252 kilometers, where an escape is more likely to materialize.
References:
[1] Pogacar's victory showcases the toughness of La Flèche Wallonne. (2025). Cycling Weekly. Retrieved from www.cyclingweekly.com
[2] AFP. (2025). Tadej Pogacar wins the Flèche Wallonne. ESPN. Retrieved from www.espn.com
[3] FEHLABender, S. (2021). The Mur de Huy: One of the Most Legendary Climbs in Professional Cycling. VeloNews. Retrieved from www.velonews.com
[4] Mennekes, P. (2023). The History of the Mur de Huy in La Flèche Wallonne and Liège-Bastogne-Liège. CyclingTips. Retrieved from www.cyclingtips.com
Tadej Pogacar's victory in the 2025 edition of La Flèche Wallonne, a race renowned for the daunting Mur de Huy, was a testament to his resilience. The Mur de Huy, known as the "Hardest Kilometer in Cycling," with gradients reaching 19 percent, proved to be a critical factor in Pogacar's remarkable win. The sight of Ben Healy, who finished fifth, prompted Pogacar to accelerate, eventually leaving no one behind him. This victory came after Pogacar's second-place finishes at Paris-Roubaix and the Amstel Gold race, making it a highly anticipated return to winning ways. In the same Ardennes region, the Liege-Bastogne-Liege 'Monument' spanning 252 kilometers awaits this Sunday, where an escape attempt is more likely to occur.
