From here on, it seems a slightly more generous reward should go to the cyclist who crosses the finish line second in races where Tadej Pogacar is leading the pack, because he already appears to be in control while the Slovenian phenomenon works ahead. It does not matter if the roads climb, if cobblestones loom like in Flanders, or if a tight, urban backdrop tests nerves, because whenever Pogacar accelerates and spots the finish, he shoots toward victory. He showed that this Wednesday in the Fleche Wallonne. Push forward, push forward, the capability is there to win this Sunday at Liège-Bastogne-Liège and to achieve something so monumental that it once challenged Eddy Merckx in his prime.
Pogacar wins everything he starts. The spring classics of 2023 unfolded in his image and likeness. No one has outshined him; it almost feels impossible because he rides in a league of his own, a celestial level among cyclists. The Tour of Flanders, Amstel Gold Race, and Fleche Wallonne are already listed among the laurels of a Slovenian genius. And this Sunday, Liège-Bastogne-Liège offers another chance for him to add to that tally. There he would meet Remco Evenepoel, who defended last year’s title. After witnessing Pogacar’s feats, Evenepoel must be wary. Pogacar, though competing on home turf, will not be shy about asserting his prowess on a Walloon course.
Replays and highlights of Fleche Wallonne 2023 show the same dynamic, reported by observers on social channels. The event delivered evidence of Pogacar’s relentless pace and strategic acumen, with posts from the race circulating as fans relive the dramatic moments. [Source: Fleche Wallonne 2023]
Traditionally, La Fleche Wallonne finishes on a gradient steeper than a staircase, a climb the likes of which Alejandro Valverde conquered five times. The strategy is simple: stay behind the wheel until the last moment, let the peloton do the hard work, and strike decisively when the moment is right. Pogacar demonstrated this approach, pressing with unyielding speed in the final 300 meters to leave rivals gasping for breath. [Source: Fleche Wallonne 2023]
Landa, the podium after the climb, reaches the goal with arms raised, while Mattias Jensen and a resilient Michael Landa contend for second and third places beside the stubborn. Pogacar showed that distance can be conquered from far out, as he did in Flanders and Amstel Gold Race, where committing early could have backfired against treacherous competition. In those moments, he relied on his climbing strength and explosive legs to seize victory before the outcome became uncertain.
The tactics for Liège on Sunday will be crucial. In the past, Pogacar attacked from distance and surged to solo victory. He has also demonstrated the ability to win from a sprint, as in 2021 when the win marked his first major classic. If he succeeds this year, the achievement would integrate with a string of prior successes and heighten the narrative around his season. Critics and fans alike watch with the expectation that he will approach Liège with the same blend of patience and boldness that has defined his recent performances. [Source: Fleche Wallonne 2023]