Tadej Pogacar reminded everyone exactly who’s boss on Wednesday with a dominant display on the Mur de Huy, claiming his second career win at La Flèche Wallonne. The Slovenian superstar powered away from the world’s best climbers on the final ascent, launching a seated, explosive acceleration that left no room for doubt—and no rider able to follow.

"It's a beautiful place, but as a cyclist you don't like it so much, such a tough finish," said the Team UAE Emirates leader.

'Hardest Kilometre In Cycling'

"It's a really great feeling, the weather wasn't so good but winning again is all that counts. We worked well as a team today and we'll have a similar one for Sunday at Liège," said the 26-year-old, who won at Liège last year in the absence of the injured Remco Evenepoel.

Wednesday's race culminated with the fearsome Mur de Huy, just 1.3km in length but with gradients hitting 19 percent and an average of 9.6.

Pogacar said he attacked when he saw Irishman Ben Healy, who finished fifth, draw level with him.

"I said 'Okay he looks fast'. So I accelerated and when I looked over my shoulder, no one was there. But really that's the hardest kilometre in cycling," he added.

The Mur Showdown

The final climb was billed as a showdown between Pogacar and Remco Evenepoel, but it never came. Evenepoel, perfectly placed in Pogacar’s wheel, had no answer when the world champion hit the gas. As Pogacar disappeared up the road, the rest could only fight for scraps. Kévin Vauquelin finished second, ten seconds back, with Tom Pidcock rounding out the podium.

Earlier in the day, poor weather defined the race. Rain and slick roads caused multiple crashes—including one that ended Mattias Skjelmose’s chances after his Amstel Gold Race heroics. Defending champion Stephen Williams and 2022 winner Dylan Teuns also dropped out before the finale.

The early breakaway, featuring a trio of Norwegians and three Belgians including Ruben Apers, was reeled in well before the final climbs. From there, it was all about survival.

As the peloton hit the final steep kilometers, UAE Team Emirates set a brutal pace. Louis Vervaeke pulled hard for Evenepoel, but it was Pogacar, biding his time, who waited for the perfect moment. Once the Slovenian launched, the race was over.

Behind him, Thibau Nys impressed in his debut, finishing eighth. Evenepoel faded in the final meters and had to settle for ninth.

With this win, Pogacar bounces back from his Amstel Gold Race defeat in the most emphatic way possible. The Ardennes triple now looms—and he’s looking stronger than ever.

Top 10 – La Flèche Wallonne 2025

• 1. Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates – XRG) – 4:50:15
• 2. Kévin Vauquelin (Arkéa–B&B Hotels) +10s
• 3. Tom Pidcock (Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team) +12s
• 4. Lenny Martinez (Bahrain Victorious) +13s
• 5. Ben Healy (EF Education–EasyPost)
• 6. Santiago Buitrago (Bahrain Victorious) +16s
• 7. Romain Grégoire (Groupama–FDJ)
• 8. Thibau Nys (Lidl–Trek)
• 9. Remco Evenepoel (Soudal–Quick-Step)
• 10. Mauro Schmid (Team Jayco AlUla) +19s