Tadej Pogacar flew over the Strade Bianche on Saturday to offer himself another prestigious victory in his career.
Leaving alone 50 kilometers from the end, the 23-year-old Slovenian prodigy withstood the competition to afford the classic Italian comeback, famous for its stony paths.
The outgoing double winner of the Tour de France beat veteran Alejandro Valverde (Movistar), who will soon be 42 years old the oldest rider to ride the box of a classic World Tour, and the Dane Kasper Asgreen (Quick-Step -Alpha Vinyl).
It was on the latter that the last hopes of the Belgian team rested when world champion Julian Alaphilippe fell violently 100 km from the end of the race, following a sudden movement caused by a gust of wind.
The double world champion suffered to return to the dance before finally paying for his efforts despite multiple reminders behind Pogacar before the 20 km barrier.
The Frenchman, who will participate in the Tirreno-Adriatico next week, will therefore wait to win his first bouquet this season.
Read alsoCycling: Alaphilippe caught in a spectacular fall … because of the wind
Thunderous comeback for Pogacar
For Pogacar, on the other hand, this is his third victory at the start of the season after his double (and the general) on the land of his sponsor (UAE Team Emirates) during his return to the UAE Tour.
And this prestigious victory in the Strade Bianche, a race sometimes considered the sixth "Monument" of cycling despite his young age (created in 2007), proves that this insatiable runner sits at the top of the world hierarchy.
For his fourth participation (7th in 2021), “Pogi” therefore knew how to play with competition relieved of the last winners Van Aert and Van der Poel after a new sensational number, when he too had fallen 100 km from the end.
“
It's an incredible victory
, savors the person concerned.
I left early and I never thought I would get to the end...even on the last climb I was looking behind me to see if it came back to me.
I was on my own and needed to be 100% focused on my race to finish.
It was very intense, I had less and less energy in the end but I managed to survive at the end
.
Before turning to the Monuments (he will dispute them all except Paris-Roubaix) Pogacar therefore continues the raid of the UAE team, triumphant throughout the week.
After the Italian Matteo Trentin in the GP Samyn in Belgium, the Emirati team led by Matxin Fernandez scored a hat-trick in the Laigueglia Trophy, an Italian semi-classic, on Wednesday.
The Slovenian will take part in Milan-San Remo on March 19.