Only for a moment does Tadej Pogacar seem to give the impression that it is not for him
Every year the record lingers in the Walloon Arrow: wouldn’t the match story be as concrete as usual this time?
Not so, because even now the scenario was crystal clear for hours.
8 leaders – with Søren Kragh Andersen as the engine – formed the plaything of the peloton, where UAE acted as a high-speed train.
The red carpet hardly contained any disturbing fabrics, although the super favorite narrowly escaped a fall in the course of eternal patience.
It was Louis Vervaeke who kept Tadej Pogacar’s servants talking to the rags as usual, but their work was out of the book.
On the steep Wall, Michael Woods tried to arrange the sprint, but Romain Bardet set the game on fire.
Pogacar seemed to settle down for a moment, but he was just looking for the most suitable gear.
He also found it with his fingers in his nose.
With many more revolutions he fluttered away from everyone, good for the most logical outcome of the spring.
Pure craftsmanship.
Mattias Skjelmose surprised with second place, Tiesj Benoot (7th) and Maxim Van Gils (8th) can be more than satisfied.
The other big favourite, Tom Pidcock, finished in 18th place. “I had no explosiveness in my legs,” he argued.
“I went very deep on Sunday and I hadn’t recovered enough. That’s just the way it is.”
“I can win this race one day, but I didn’t have the strength at the moment of truth today. Now I want to recover well for Liège.”
“I said this morning that I would be grateful with 2nd place after Tadej Pogacar,” said runner-up Mattias Skjelmose.
“I tried and I got closer than I thought. We also did a good job with Giulio Ciccone’s 5th place.”
Also Mikel Landa could live with his 3rd place. “I am very satisfied. I got sick after the Basque Country and I didn’t have much confidence.”
“I just couldn’t beat Tadej today. Someone has to be 2nd and 3rd, hey. He’s superior. His team was also very strong.”
