Tadej Pogacar now has nine Monument wins - level with Ireland's Sean Kelly and Italians Costante Girardengo and Fausto Coppi in third most overall World champion Tadej Pogacar won his third Liege-Bastogne-Liege with a dominant showing in the Belgian one-day classic. The Slovenian attacked on the Cote de la Redoute climb with 35km of the 252km course remaining and expertly stayed clear to defend his title, having also won in 2021. Italy's Giulio Ciccone edged out Ireland's Ben Healy to claim second, finishing just over a minute down on Pogacar. Pogacar, 26, is the first rider to finish on the podium in six successive 'Monuments' - the five most prestigious one-day races in men's cycling. After winning Liege and Il Lombardia last year, he finished third at this year's Milan-San Remo, won the Tour of Flanders and was runner-up at Paris-Roubaix. The three-time Tour de France champion has also finished on the podium in the past eight Monuments he has entered, winning five. This is Pogacar's ninth Monument win overall. Only Eddy Merckx, widely regarded as the greatest cyclist of all time, with 19, and fellow Belgian great Roger de Vlaeminck (11) have more victories in these famous races. Victory in Belgium caps another stunning spring classics campaign by Pogacar, with the UAE Team Emirates-XRG rider also winning Strade Bianche and Fleche Wallonne, as well as narrowly finishing second in the Amstel Gold Race. The women's race finishes later on Sunday. The race was billed as a showdown between Pogacar and Olympic champion Remco Evenepoel, who won back-to-back Liege titles in 2022 and 2023 before suffering multiple bone fractures in a serious crash on a training ride last year. However, the Belgian struggled, caught out of position when Pogacar attacked and later dropped by the peloton on the final climb of the day. Instead it was the familiar sight of Pogacar mounting an attack no-one could match. Britain's Tom Pidcock attempted to bring him back alongside Healy but Pogacar built up a lead of 30 seconds within 5km and the gap kept growing. Ciccone and Julian Alaphilippe joined Pidcock and Healy but they could not get organised, with Ciccone and Healy eventually getting clear to compete for the two podium spots left. Pidcock finished ninth. In reality this was just about Pogacar's increasingly possible quest to rival Merckx's standing as the greatest. Pogacar is only the seventh rider to win three or more editions of Liege, the oldest of the Monuments, with Merckx holding the record of five wins. Mercx won five Tours de France - including 34 stages - five Giro d'Italia titles, one Vuelta a Espana and three world road crowns, as well as his 19 monuments. Pogacar has three Tour victories, including 17 stages, one Giro, one Vuelta, one world title and nine monuments. Only Merckx (1974), Ireland's Stephan Roche (1987) and Pogacar (2024) have completed the triple crown of winning the Giro, Tour and world championship in the same year. Pogacar is unlikely to win as many Giro titles as Merckx, given the demands of targeting the Tour each year, but every other tally could well be in his sights. After he attempts to defend his Tour title in July, Pogacar will be heavily favoured to claim a 10th Monument before the season ends at Il Lombardia in October. Pogacar has won the last four consecutive editions of the one-day race in Italy and will be seeking to equal Fausto Coppi's record of five wins overall. Tadej Pogacar (Slo/UAE Team Emirates-XRG) 6hrs 0mins 9secs Giulio Ciccone (Ita/Lidl-Trek) +1min 03secs Ben Healy (Ire/EF Education-EasyPost) Same time Simone Velasco (Ita/XDS Astana Team) +1min 10secs Thibau Nys (Bel/Lidl-Trek) Same time Andrea Bagioli (Ita/Lidl-Trek) Daniel Martinez (Col/Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe) Axel Laurance (Fra/INEOS Grenadiers) Tom Pidcock (GB/Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team) Neilson Powless (US/EF Education-EasyPost)
Pogacar wins third Liege-Bastogne-Liege title
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Tadej Pogacar Claims Third Liege-Bastogne-Liege Title, Expands Monument Wins to Nine"
Bbc News
7.9
TruthLens AI Summary
Tadej Pogacar, the Slovenian cycling superstar, has secured his third victory at the prestigious Liege-Bastogne-Liege, solidifying his status as one of the top competitors in the sport. With this win, Pogacar now boasts a total of nine Monument victories, placing him alongside legendary cyclists Sean Kelly, Costante Girardengo, and Fausto Coppi in the all-time rankings. The race unfolded over a challenging 252-kilometer course, where Pogacar made a decisive move on the Cote de la Redoute climb, launching his attack with 35 kilometers remaining. His tactical prowess and stamina allowed him to maintain a significant lead, ultimately finishing the race in 6 hours, 0 minutes, and 9 seconds. Italian rider Giulio Ciccone finished in second place, trailing Pogacar by just over a minute, while Ireland's Ben Healy rounded out the podium in third position. This victory not only defends his title from the previous year but also marks Pogacar as the first rider to achieve podium finishes in six consecutive Monuments, a testament to his consistency and dominance in one-day races.
Pogacar's spring classics campaign has been nothing short of remarkable, as he has also claimed victories in Strade Bianche and Fleche Wallonne, alongside a second-place finish in the Amstel Gold Race. The race was anticipated to be a showdown with Olympic champion Remco Evenepoel, who had previously won the event in 2022 and 2023 but struggled due to a lack of competitive form following a severe injury. As Pogacar launched his decisive attack, Evenepoel was unable to respond and was subsequently dropped by the peloton. This win further emphasizes Pogacar's quest to match the legendary Eddy Merckx, who holds the record for the most Monument victories at 19. While Pogacar's trajectory suggests he may not match Merckx's Giro d'Italia titles due to his focus on the Tour de France, his overall potential to surpass other records remains strong. Looking ahead, Pogacar is poised to defend his Tour title in July and is favored to clinch a tenth Monument victory later in the season at Il Lombardia, where he aims to equal Fausto Coppi's record of five wins in that event.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The recent victory of Tadej Pogacar at the Liege-Bastogne-Liege showcases not only his exceptional talent but also highlights the dynamics of competitive cycling. As Pogacar secures his place among the legends of the sport, the implications of his continued success extend beyond individual accolades.
Public Perception and Narrative Construction
This article serves to solidify Pogacar's status as a dominant force in cycling and creates a narrative around his achievements. By emphasizing his third win in this prestigious race and comparing him to cycling greats like Eddy Merckx, the article reinforces Pogacar's legacy while igniting excitement among fans. The mention of his previous wins and podium finishes frames him as a cyclist who is not just participating but leading the pack, creating a sense of national pride for Slovenian and cycling fans alike.
Potential Omissions and Underlying Issues
While celebrating Pogacar's victories, the article does not delve deeply into the challenges faced by other competitors, such as Remco Evenepoel, who was expected to be a key rival but struggled due to past injuries. This selective focus may downplay the complexities and unpredictability of the sport, possibly leading readers to overlook the broader context of competition, which includes the struggles and narratives of other athletes.
Analysis of Reliability
The article appears to be credible, providing factual information about Pogacar's accomplishments, race statistics, and comparisons to historical figures in cycling. However, the focus on Pogacar's successes might skew the overall perception of the sport, making it seem less competitive than it is. The intention seems to be to celebrate a star athlete, which can sometimes lead to a one-dimensional view of the sport's landscape.
Impact on Different Communities
Cycling enthusiasts and sports fans are likely to resonate with this article, as it caters to those who appreciate high-level athletic achievement. The focus on Pogacar’s success can inspire young cyclists and create a following around him, potentially increasing participation in cycling at various levels.
Economic and Market Implications
While this specific event may not directly influence stock markets, Pogacar's popularity could have a positive effect on brands associated with him, potentially boosting sales for cycling gear and related merchandise. Companies sponsoring Pogacar or his team, UAE Team Emirates, may see increased visibility and engagement due to his recent triumphs.
Relation to Global Context
In a broader context, Pogacar's achievements can be seen as part of a continuing trend of rising sports figures who attract international attention. This can serve to promote cycling as a sport, potentially affecting its growth in popularity worldwide.
The language used in the article is primarily celebratory and informative, aiming to engage readers rather than provoke controversy or dissent. There doesn't appear to be any overt manipulation or targeting of specific groups, although the focus on Pogacar may unintentionally overshadow the diverse narratives within the sport.
In summary, while the article celebrates Pogacar's achievements and presents a compelling narrative of his dominance, it could benefit from a more balanced view that includes the challenges faced by other competitors. The emphasis on individual success might lead to a less comprehensive understanding of the cycling community as a whole.