In LaVuelta 2019, the one in which he rose to stardom in the Sierra de Gredos, one could not glimpse the dimension that Tadej Pogacar was destined to reach. However, almost seven years later, his figure has transcended beyond the merely sporting, to the point of having changed the rules of a sport that remained practically unchanged for decades.
In Liege, that mythical town where so many pages of cycling history have been written, the Slovenian has certified a victory that already bears his trademark: that of attacking and not looking back. It is not a simple triumph, it is confirmation that the generational change—led by Paul Seixas—will have to wait until he himself decides. At the moment, there are already 13 Monuments, and counting.
The bravery of Remco Evenepoel
The tension typical of a Monument was perceived from the first kilometers. Such was the situation that Pogacar, Pidcock and Seixas, along with their respective blocks, were cut off in a rear group; Meanwhile, Evenepoel and Bernal continued at the head of the race. The difference exceeded 3’40”, with an average speed of more than 44 km/h. Therefore, Decathlon, aware that the race was slipping away, joined the UAE to carry the weight of a highly demanding chase.
Once the first ascent of the day was completed – the Cota de Saint-Roch (1 km at 10.5%) – the ‘tempo’ set by the chasing group changed radically, even reducing the lead by more than a minute with respect to Evenepoel. On the Col de la Haussire (3.9 km at 7.2%), the road went uphill and the pace once again caused havoc both in the breakaway, where the Red Bull Belgian was left without lieutenants, and in the group of favorites. 2’00” and going down.
Tim Wellens took over and the lead hopes dropped drastically. Evenepoel, nervous, took over while the rest of his rivals followed. The tables turned. The first to fall was Pidcock, who, after changing bikes, significantly distanced himself from the group of Pogacar and Seixas. He didn’t link again. The formation of ‘the escape of the escape’, with five riders, ended all of Remco’s options, as he saw how his immediate rivals cut his time and put an end to any minimal hope.
Paul Seixas presents his candidacy
Each climb was a martyrdom and the UAE was largely responsible. The Emirati formation, which had already caught the leading quintet, entered a cruising speed in which only Pogacar seemed to feel comfortable. Another level. After sublime control, Sivakov finished his work behind Desnié and Novak took over. La Redoute was approaching and the tension increased.
There, in the most emblematic ascent of the Ardennes, Pogacar launched a very tough attack that left Evenepoel behind, while Seixas, in a rare demonstration of strength, managed to resist the Slovenian’s pace. A cyclist who no longer only points to the future, but is a reality in the present. In the Roca de los Halcones (1.3 km at 10.1%), the experience and quality of Pogacar ended up making the difference against a Seixas that ended up giving in, although with a performance of great merit.
The Belgian town received him with honors, aware that a new milestone in the history of cycling had been written, largely thanks to the emergence of Seixas, who consolidated himself in the elite against the great dominator of the peloton. The podium, without the presence of Evenepoel, was completed by a combative Skjelmose.