Cycling World Championships: Alone in the world, Pogacar crushes the competition and wins his first world title

While chasing his first world championship title, Tadej Pogacar achieved ;eacute; his dream. This Sunday, the Slovenian won his first rainbow jersey after a solo attack at 50 kilometres. Ben O'Connor and Mathieu van der Poel completed the podium.

17:55 – Pogacar untouchable, the summary

Tadej Pogacar knew he was expected and he showed up! Lined up for the men's road race at the World Cycling Championships, the Slovenian had the opportunity to make his dream come true: to become World Champion. In a start to the race where a few attacks took place, it was necessary to wait for the attack of Dillier, Pekala and Wirtgen to see a breakaway form before being caught later. The first hour of the race was marked by the fall of the Spaniard Pello Bilbao and the Portuguese Joatildeo Almeida, who would end up abandoning. A fall that surely led to the abandonment of Julian Alaphilippe. If the images do not show the Frenchman on the ground, the latter ended his race a few moments later. Victim of a dislocated left shoulder, the double world champion was evacuated by ambulances. Finally, a cascade of abandonments marked this start of the race with Mikel Landa also.

&100 kilometers from the finish, Tadej Pogacar found himself without a teammate in the peloton, apart from Primoz Roglic, after a huge relay by Domen Novak. The favorite then launched a lightning attack and made his return alone to the breakaway in which a group of intercalated riders had been added. Finally, the Slovenian found his compatriot Jan Tratnik who launched him into orbit. &51 kilometers from the finish, Pogacar attacked. If only Pavel Sivakov managed to stay in his wheel, the Frenchman was quickly dropped, leaving his teammate at the UAE team to fly towards a first world title. In the last kilometers, the latter perfectly managed the gap with the pursuers. Finally, Tadej Pogacar won his first rainbow jersey, ahead of Ben O'Connor and Mathieu van der Poel. Disappointment for Remco Evenepoel who finished 5th, while Romain Bardet was the first Frenchman with his 10th place.

17:50 – A perfect combo

Relive live the ceremony and the Slovenian anthem in honor of Tadej Pogacar, the new world champion. 

17:45 – An exceptional year

With the World Championship, Tadej Pogacar adds a new title to an exceptional season during which he won the Giro, the Tour de France, the Tour of Catalonia, Liège-Bastogne-Liège and Strade Bianche.

17:40 – A bad finish

Remco Evenepoel will not do the double at the World Championships. The Belgian finished 5th in the road race after his victory in the time trial.

17:35 – The top 10

Here is the top 10 of the men's road race at the 2024 World Championships: 

1. T.Pogacar
2. B.O'Connor à 0'34"
3. M.van der Poel à 0'58"
4. T.Skujins à 0'58"
5. R.Evenepoel à 0'58"
6. M.Hirschi à 0'58"
7. B. Healy à 0'58"
8. E.Mas à 1'01"
9. Q.Simmons à 2'18"
10. R.Bardet à 2'18"

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17:30 – Pogacar: "Very proud"

Tadej Pogacar on Eurosport: “I can't believe it. After this kind of season, I put a lot of pressure on myself for this competition. The race quickly settled down. I made a stupid attack but Jan was with me. It's an incredible day. We had a tactic, we wanted to keep the race under control. I have no idea what I was thinking when I attacked so early. After many years where I fought in the Tour de France and other races, everything came together this year. I had this big goal of becoming World Champion and it happened. I am very proud. Thank you to my staff”.

17:25 – Bardet first Frenchman

10th, Romain Bardet is the first French rider in the men's road race rankings at the World Championships.

17:20 – Bardet: “A blow to morale”

Romain Bardet on Eurosport: “I don't know if I'm happy. I have a lot of regrets. Today was pretty good. We took a hit to our morale by losing Julian quite quickly. I'm missing 200 metres at the top of a final false flat to switch to the right side. I gave a lot of effort but not in the right time today. Everyone was at full speed. Behind, we quickly found ourselves between leaders and it was hard to organize well.

17:15 – Pogacar in history

Today, Tadej Pogacar wins his first rainbow jersey. He also becomes the first Slovenian rider in history to become World Champion.

Tadej Pogacar breaks all records and makes history! The Slovenian wins his first World Champion title this Sunday in Zurich. He beats Ben O'Connor and Mathieu van der Poel.

17:09 – The Red Flame

There is one kilometer left to browse! 

17:06 – Four kilometers

Tadej Pogacar is closer than ever to winning his first World Championship title. 

A lightning attack from Mathieu van der Poel! Marc Hirschi and Thom Skujins follow but Remco Evenepoel remains seated.

16:58 – Pogacar relaunches

What a performance by Tadej Pogacar! The Slovenian is fully back on track after losing a few seconds. He is now 52 seconds ahead of the pursuers.

16:51 – Seven riders chasing Pogacar

The Healy – Skujins duo has just been caught by Evenepoel, Van der Poel, O'Connor in particular. They are only forty seconds behind 15 kilometers from the finish.

16:48 – Pogacar is losing time

The duo Thom Skujins – Ben Healy is coming back on Tadej Pogacar who 'only forty seconds.

16:45 – Mas comes out

In the fourth group, the Spaniard Enric Mas tries to come out to get back on Marc Hirschi.

16:44 – Twenty kilometers

Barring any technical or physical failure, Tadej Pogacar will win his first world title.

16:41 – Hirschi stuck

While his attack had been sharp, Marc Hirschi was unable to return to the Skujins – Healy duo.

16:38 – Ça comes to life behind

While Thom Skujins has released Ben Healy, Marc Hirshi released the third group. 

16:33 – Last loop

Tadej Pogacar has less than 26 kilometers to go before a world title. 

16:26 – The first rainbow jersey in sight!

Nearly thirty kilometers before the finish, Tadej Pogacar recites a new demonstration this year. Untouchable, the Slovenian has a one-minute lead over the pursuers Skujins and Healy.

16:18 – The gap is growing

What a new performance from Tadej Pogacar who has almost a minute on Skunjins and Healy. 

16:09 – Bardet makes the effort

Behind Pogacar, Romain Bardet is in pursuit of Mathieu Van der Poel.

16:04 – Sivakov cracks

Ben Healy and Thom Skujins are interspersed. After letting Sivakov go, the two men are in pursuit of Tadej Pogacar.

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