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Cycling star Pogačar wins men91Ƶs road race at world championships

Pogačar launched a lethal long range attack 50 km91Ƶs from finish line.
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(File Photo) Tadej Pogacar launched a long range attack to win the UCI Road World Championships

Tadej Pogačar cemented his status as cycling91Ƶs biggest star with a devastating solo attack to win the men91Ƶs road race at the world championships on Sunday.

The three-time Tour de France champion surged ahead just over 50 kilometers (31 miles) from the end. The 26-year-old Slovenian appeared to be in tears after crossing the line in Zurich, putting his hand on his mouth, then covering his face with both hands before pumping his arms in the air.

He crossed the line 34 seconds ahead of Australian Ben O91ƵConnor and 58 clear of defending champion Mathieu van der Poel of the Netherlands, who finished third in a sprint to the line ahead of Latvian Toms Skujins and Belgian contender Remco Evenepoel in fifth place.

91ƵI put a lot of pressure on myself for today. The race unfolded pretty quickly,91Ƶ Pogačar said. 91ƵI never gave up. It was an incredible day, I cannot believe what just happened.91Ƶ

Pogačar achieved the rare treble of winning the worlds, the Tour and the Giro d91ƵItalia in the same year. He also won the prestigious Liege91ƵBastogne91ƵLiege classic and the Strade Bianche, both with similar solo attacks.

91ƵAfter many years fighting for the Tour de France and other races I never had the world championship as a clear goal, but this year everything went smoothly,91Ƶ Pogačar said. 91ƵAfter the perfect season it was a really big goal to win the world championship and I can91Ƶt believe it happened.91Ƶ

On Sunday, he had a prestigious teammate on the road: Primoz Roglič, the record-equaling four-time Spanish Vuelta champion.

But he didn91Ƶt need him and it was Pavel Sivakov of France who joined Pogačar as he made a breakaway 100 kilometers (62 miles) out.

91ƵI don91Ƶt know what I was thinking,91Ƶ Pogačar said. 91ƵBut I went with the flow and luckily I made it.91Ƶ

The peloton 91Ƶ led by a determined Van der Poel 91Ƶ tried to counter them with about 70 kilometers left.

The front two maintained their lead of around 40 seconds, with Van der Poel now joined by Evenepoel, the 2022 world champion and reigning Olympic champion. But Evenepoel, who won last weekend91Ƶs time trial, had no teammates with him.

After Pogačar dropped Sivakov, he rolled through the countryside leading to Zurich and the title after finishing third last year.

He completed the 274-kilometer (170-mile) route, which started from Winterthur and had elevation gains of 4,470 meters, in 6 hours, 27 minutes, 30 seconds.

Two-time world champion Julian Alaphilippe of France went out of the race early on. The Soudal Quick-Step rider was caught in a crash and hurt his left shoulder.





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