Despite a fall, cycling star Tadej Pogacar won the Strade Bianche one-day race through the Tuscany. The world champion, who won the UAE Tour in February, once again demonstrated his strength in Italy in a difficult race.
The 26-year-old Slovenian from Team UAE Emirates-XRG finished on Saturday (08.03.2025) after 213 kilometers and 5:13:59 hours with 1:23 minutes ahead of the British Thomas Pidcock. Third, Belgian Tim Wellens (+2: 12). “I enjoyed the race to the finish line. The adrenaline has overlaid the pain. It’s not the best way to win a race“, said Pogacar after the race and added around 50 kilometers to his fall:”I’ve definitely driven this position 20 times, I was just too fast. I just slipped. Shit happens.“
Ten drivers were able to settle early, including not the favorite Pogacar. However, Pidcock and Pogacar took up the outliers through a maneuver and led to the finish line from kilometers 72. Connor Swift also joined the leadership duo. At kilometer 165 Pogacar then fell violently in a left turn, slid over the asphalt and slammed into a ditch. However, he only shook himself briefly and climbed on his bike again despite torn jerseys and bleeding abrasions.
Pogacar attracts the bike change
Swift had to leave behind the world champion, but was spared a fall. Shortly thereafter, Pogacar changed bikes and drove back to Swift, who fully collapsed after the incident. The Slovenian was finally back at Pidcock 46 kilometers before the finish. Pogacar set his attack 18 kilometers before the finish line and put 20 seconds between himself and Pidcock within a very short time. He continuously expanded this lead.
For Pogacar it is the third success of the white gravel roads of Tuscany. Last year, after a spectacular solo flight over 81 kilometers, the top driver crowned the winner with a lead of almost three minutes. He had won his first success in 2022.
Next start at Milan-Sanremo
In the previous year, in addition to the rare Giro-Tour-Double, Pogacar also won victories at the World Cup and the monumented Liège-Bastogne-Liège and Lombardy tour. The return to Italy was now the first real endurance test of the young season – and a finger for Milan -Sanremo (March 22), which Pogacar has so far been missing in its title collection.