Tadej Pogacar achieves one of cycling's most esteemed accomplishments by clinching the world championship title.
Finishing cycling's "Triple Crown" triumvirate, joined by Pogačar, is a prestigious club only shared by Eddy Merckx, Stephen Roche, and Annemiek van Vleuten, having accomplished this feat respectively. While van Vleuten managed it in 2022, no male cyclist has achieved this feat in a single year since Roche did in 1987, when the sport was in significant transformation.
In the following years, it became less common for cyclists to aim for winning multiple races within the same season; no male cyclist had triumphed at both the Tour de France and Giro d’Italia in a single year since 1998, until Pogačar achieved this feat this year.
This year's season emphasizes Pogačar's extraordinary talent as a cyclist, setting him apart from others, since he excels in winning races of varying lengths and on various terrains. His impressive achievements include one-day races, such as the world championships, which usually requires sacrificing explosiveness for endurance necessary for winning a three-week stage race.
After accomplishing a near-perfect season, Pogačar expressed satisfaction, stating, “After many years of fighting for the Tour de France and other races, I never had the world championship as a clear goal, but this year everything went smoothly. After achieving such a great season, it became a significant goal for me to win the world championship, and I can't believe it happened.”
In a testament to his dominance, Pogačar's decisive victory showcases his superiority. On Sunday in Switzerland, he attacked with around 100 kilometers remaining, overtook the breakaway, and outpaced France's Pavel Sivakov, initially the only competitor who posed a challenge.
Though attacking early was an unplanned move, Pogačar shared his thoughts after the competition, “We had plans to keep the race under control, but the race went forward before we expected, and I don't know what I was thinking, but I went with the flow, and luckily it worked out for me.”
Finally, Pogačar clinched the victory with a 34-second lead ahead of Australia's Ben O'Connor, who secured the silver medal, while the defending champion, the Netherlands’ Mathieu van der Poel, took the bronze and led in the chasing group.
The triumphant finish of Pogačar's season has cemented his place among the elite in cycling, as he can now be considered a multiple race winner across various lengths and terrains, showcasing his versatility in the sport. His remarkable achievements this year, including the world championship, have undeniably solidified his position as a dominant force in the cycling world.
