Flamboyant Tadej Pogacar retains world title to cement legacy
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Gold medallist Slovenian rider Tadej Pogacar poses on the podium after winning the Men's Elite Road Race on Sept 28.
PHOTO: AFP
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KIGALI - Tadej Pogacar lit up Kigali's climbs with a trademark long-range attack to claim a second consecutive men's road race world title on Sept 28, an air of inevitability surrounding the event as the Slovenian cemented his legacy among cycling's all-time greats.
He triumphed as the championships were staged in Africa for the first time, with hundreds of thousands of people cheering from the roadside.
Belgian Remco Evenepoel, who won the individual time trial title for the third year in a row on Sept 21, finished second, one minute and 28 seconds off the pace, with Ireland's Ben Healy taking third place, another 48 seconds further back.
It was Ireland’s first podium finish in the event since Sean Kelly also claimed the bronze medal in 1989.
Pogacar, whose grimace turned into a smile in the final lap, is the third rider in the last two decades to retain the rainbow jersey after Slovakia’s Peter Sagan, who won three in a row from 2015 to 2017, and Julian Alaphilippe of France (2020, 21).
“I was chasing this for the whole year ... I'm so happy to retain this beautiful jersey," Pogacar said after a gruelling ride that saw only 30 of the 165 riders finish the race.
"It’s been an amazing last few days, an incredible experience. I'm super happy and super proud of this week.
"Winning here in Africa, especially in Rwanda, makes this even more special. It’s been an incredible experience, truly a successful week."
Pogacar is the first rider to win the Tour de France and the world championships road race the same year twice in a row.
Pogacar enjoys memorable solo triumph
When Pogacar surged on Mount Kigali with 104km remaining, throwing caution to the wind, the script felt familiar.
Only his UAE-XRG brand teammates Juan Ayuso of Spain and Mexico’s Isaac Del Toro followed but Ayuso soon cracked and Del Toro was cast adrift 67km from the line, left to watch as Pogacar disappeared for another memorable solo triumph.
The 267.5km race marked a historic staging of the championships in Rwanda’s hilly capital, with the punishing circuit, peppered with cobbles, producing relentless climbing.
Tadej Pogacar celebrates winning the race with second placed Belgium's Remco Evenepoel and third placed Ireland's Ben Healy.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Evenepoel initially showed his frustration as he waited for a bike change after being distanced but he soon regrouped to lead the chase in a group that hovered around one minute behind Pogacar but never managed to close the gap.
The victory capped a glittering 2025 season for Pogacar.
The 27-year-old claimed a fourth Tour de France crown in July, dominating Jonas Vingegaard, and added spring classics triumphs at Strade Bianche, the Tour of Flanders, La Fleche Wallonne and Liege–Bastogne–Liege.
With two Monument titles already this year, Pogacar further cemented his versatility across one-day and stage races.
Another Monument one-day race awaits when he lines up at the Giro di Lombardia next month. REUTERS
