Tadej Pogacar triumphed to historic victory at Liege-Bastogne-Liege despite stunning ride from Paul Seixas

Tadej Pogacar secured a historic victory at the 259.5km Liege-Bastogne-Liege, the oldest of cycling’s Monuments, edging closer to Eddy Merckx’s record with his third consecutive win at the event. The UAE Team Emirates rider launched a decisive solo attack with 13km remaining, breaking away from a fierce challenge by 19-year-old Paul Seixas of Decathlon. Despite Seixas’s remarkable ride and relentless pursuit, Pogacar maintained his advantage to cross the line first in the fastest edition of La Doyenne in history, with Seixas finishing second and Remco Evenepoel rounding out the podium. The race unfolded at a blistering pace, averaging over 45km/h in the opening two hours, with Evenepoel and Egan Bernal animating the race from the front for much of the day. Evenepoel led for an extraordinary 140km before being caught by the peloton, which included Pogacar and Seixas. Mechanical issues hampered Tom Pidcock’s chances, while the peloton gradually reeled in the breakaway, setting the stage for the decisive climbs. Pogacar’s attack on the Côte de la Redoute was met with an impressive response from Seixas, signalling the emergence of a new rivalry as the duo distanced themselves from the rest. Pogacar reflected on the challenge posed by Seixas, expressing admiration for the young rider’s strength and resilience on the Redoute climb. The Slovenian champion admitted he had prepared for a sprint duel before ultimately breaking away on the Roche-aux-Faucons climb, where Seixas was unable to respond. Pogacar also paid tribute to his late teammate Cristian Camilo Munoz, wearing a black armband in his memory, adding an emotional dimension to his victory. The race’s finale saw a sprint for third place, with Evenepoel narrowly beating Mattias Skjelmose. This victory further cements Pogacar’s status as one of the sport’s greats and signals a potential new chapter in the Spring Classics with Paul Seixas emerging as a formidable contender. With four wins in five races this season, Pogacar is demonstrating remarkable consistency and ambition as he chases down historic milestones. The performances from Seixas and Evenepoel ensure that the competition at the top remains fierce, promising an exciting season ahead in the electric world of professional cycling.