Tadej Pogacar has claimed the world champion title after an incredible road race and a 100-kilometre breakaway at the World Road Cycling Championships in Zürich.
The 26-year-old Slovenian became the third rider to achieve the Triple Crown (Tour de France, Giro, World Championships) after Eddy Merckx in 1974 and Ireland’s Stephen Roche in 1987. He had put immense pressure on himself before this major event.
“I can’t believe what just happened. After this season, I put a lot of pressure on myself for today’s race. I had personal pressure but also from my team, as we came here for the victory,” the cycling phenomenon said in his post-race interview.
In his dominant and daring style, after catching up with the day’s breakaway he launched a decisive attack 100km from the finish. “Everything unfolded very quickly. I might have tried a foolish attack but I never stopped believing until the finish line... Our plan was to control the race, but I don’t know what came over me. I went for it; it wasn’t easy, but I made it.”
“After many years of fighting for the Tour de France and other races, I had never won this championship race. It was clearly my goal for the year. After a perfect season, it’s incredible to claim this title. I still can’t believe it,” he concluded.
Belgium's Remco Evenepoel, who last Sunday won the World Championship in the men's time trial event, was in the chasing group but was struggling to hold position in the final kilometres.
Tadej Pogačar is World Champion 🤩🌈
Attacking with 100km to go, the Slovenian completes the triple crown of the Giro, Tour de France and Worlds in one season 👏#Zurich2024 pic.twitter.com/SkzXDXXNv9 — Eurosport (@eurosport) September 29, 2024
