Except translation, this story has not been edited by achinews staff and is published from a syndicated feed.
MONTREAL – Tadej Pogacar was so dominant on Sunday, Michael Woods of Canada called it a race for second.
Pogacar, a three-time Tour de France champion from Slovenia, pedaled to a resounding victory in the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montreal.
The UAE Team Emirates leader crossed the finish line 24 seconds ahead of Bahrain’s Pello Bilbao of Spain – Victorious to win the challenging 209.1-kilometre race on a sunny, 28 C day in Montreal. France’s Julian Alaphilippe of Soudal Quick-Step was third.
“He’s the greatest rider ever, he’s a formidable opponent,” said Woods, who finished 45 seconds behind the leader in eighth. “If you’re not at your absolute best, then you can forget racing with him, and today was kind of representative of that.
“He’s on such a different level, if you follow him, he can be a light out.”
Pogacar slowed down before the final turn to celebrate with the crowd, high five supporters on Avenue du Parc and cruise past the finish line with his arms in the air after more than five hours on the bike.
The 25-year-old joined Belgium’s Greg Van Avermaet as the only multi-time winners in Montreal after claiming the race in 2022. He also reclaimed seventh place at the Quebec City Grand Prix on Friday.
“I was disappointed, because I had such good legs that I didn’t do better than seventh,” said Pogacar. “To bounce back from seventh to win here, it’s just an amazing feeling.”
It is Pogacar’s latest victory in a dominant year that includes victories in the Tour de France and Giro d’Italia.
Ottawa’s Woods (Israel Premier-Tech) tied a career best in front of the home crowd in Montreal, but was hoping for more after claiming a podium at Spain’s Vuelta a fortnight ago.
“I wanted a better result,” said the 37-year-old rider. “Podium was my goal, but at the same time I’m happy with the performance. In bike racing, you can’t always get the result you want and I felt I raced really well, I animated the race, I felt I was there.”
Pogacar completed the 17 climbs up and down Mount Royal near the city center in five hours 28 minutes 15 seconds.
He moved with 23.3 kilometers to go, leaving the peloton in the dust as he pedaled to the lead – one he never relinquished.
Bilbao, Alaphilippe, Alex Aranburu (Movistar Team) and Bart Lemmen (Visma-Lease) chased in a group behind him, with Bilbao eventually separating himself from the pack. But he didn’t come close to catching Pogacar, who took a 35 second lead with one lap to go.
“It was still a very hard race today, but the team was on point,” said Pogacar. “We actually did how we planned, and the race situation was good for us. We’re making it tough in the last few laps, and they set me up with two laps (to take over) to go, and it was all perfect.”
Ottawa’s Derek Gee, who placed ninth in this year’s Tour de France, finished 48th in Montreal, calling it a “tough day” in the heat.
“I think everyone knows when you see Tadej on the start line he’s only going to be full throttle,” said Gee.
Israeli High Tech teammate Hugo Houle of Sainte-Perpétue, Que., was 51st.
Houle said he heard Pogacar inform his teammates on the radio that he was ready to attack with two laps left in the race.
“I said at that point, well, obviously it’s over for me,” Houle said. “You see, cycling is not that complicated.”
Australia’s Michael Matthews won the Quebec City GP for the third time ever on Friday, but he didn’t finish in Montreal. Both races are the only North American events on the UCI World Tour.
Michael Leonard of Oakville, Ont., and Gil Gelders and Dries De Bondt of Belgium broke away from the peloton during the second lap. Leonard led the majority of the race before losing speed with 45 kilometers to go.
Only 89 of 169 cyclists from 24 teams – including the Canadian national team – completed the grueling race which includes 4,573 meters of altitude.
Next, the riders will go to the world championships in Zurich, Switzerland between September 21 and 29.
Pogacar will try to join Eddy Merckx (1974) and Stephen Roche (1987) as the only men to win three major titles in a season – known as the Triple Crown.
“Today gave me a lot of confidence, motivation,” said Pogacar. “I think we are ready for the world championships.”
This report was first published by The Canadian Press on September 15, 2024.
(Except translation, this story has not been edited by achinews staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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