Fleche Wallonne: Pogacar also unbeatable on the Mur de Huy

Tadej Pogacar with a demonstration of power at the Mur de Huy

With a demonstration of power on the steep Mur de Huy, cycling star Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) impressively continued his winning streak. The Slovenian took victory on the extremely steep final climb of the Fleche Wallonne 2023 with a lead of several bike lengths over second-placed Dane Mattias Skjelmose (Trek-Segafredo). Third place went to the Spaniard Mikel Landa (Bahrain-Victorious).

Pogacar had everything under control at all times on the climb. The 24-year-old controlled the action until around 200 metres before the finish, when the two-time Tour de France champion rode away from the competition with an explosive attack. German riders played no role.

Pogacar comments on victory at Fleche Wallonne 2023

"I'm in great shape, I'm enjoying the moment," said Pogacar and added: "The climb is super hard, spectacular. The team did an impressive job. They kept me at the front. Everyone wanted to be with me on the bike."

Fleche Wallonne 2023: Results

• 1. Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) 4:27:53

• 2nd Mattias Skjelmose (Trek-Segafredo) +0:00

• 3rd Mikel Landa (Bahrain-Victorious) +0:00

• 4th Michael Woods (Israel-Premier Tech) +0:03

• 5th Giulio Ciccone (Trek-Segafredo) +0:03

• 6th Victor Lafay (Cofidis) +0:03

• 7th Tiesj Benoot (Jumbo-Visma) +0:03

• 8th Maxim van Gils (Lotto-Dstny) +0:03

• 9th Romain Bardet (Team DSM) +0:03

• 10th Warren Barguil (Arkea-Samsic) +0:03

For Pogacar, who had already won the Amstel Gold Race it was his twelfth win of the season. On Sunday, he can complete his Ardennes triple with a success in the spring classic Liège-Bastogne-Liège perfect. There, however, he will be up against world champion and last year's winner Remco Evenepoel (Soudal - Quick Step).

Liane Lippert finishes on the podium at the Fleche Wallonne

For women World Championship fourth-placed Liane Lippert had previously narrowly missed out on victory. After 127.3 kilometres, the 25-year-old from Friedrichshafen was only beaten by Demi Vollering from the Netherlands. Lippert finished five seconds behind, with third place going to the Italian Gaia Realini. Vollering had already won the Amstel Gold Race on Sunday at the start of the Ardennes races.

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