Tadej Pogačar not concerned with finishing 12th at Flèche Wallonne: 'I don't think this was any weakness'
The Slovenian is already looking forward to defending his Liège-Bastogne-Liège title on Sunday

Despite struggling to hold onto the leaders, Tadej Pogačar didn't seem concerned about finishing 12th at Flèche Wallonne today (Wednesday) as he shifts his focus to Liège-Bastogne-Liège at the weekend.
Heading up the final ascent of the Mur de Huy, Pogačar seemed in contention to win the Ardennes Classic. However, the UAE Team Emirates rider soon lost pace to the front riders as the incline steepened, falling back on the 10% gradient. This didn't seem to faze the two-time Tour de France winner though.
While he recognised failing to match eventual winner Dylan Teuns' pace on the final part of the climb isn't ideal, Pogačar still expressed his excitement at even battling at the front of the race.
"It's a hard race, hard final [climb] and I did my best," he said after the race.
"I pushed myself over the limit, I came to the front row with 200 metres to go and I was quite excited, thinking 'I'm here, I can do it'. But then the lactic hit me and I barely came to the finish - but it's all good.
"I really like the race - it's a really nice race, really hard. They [the organisers] changed the course a bit this year and it was really tough but I'm more looking forward to the Sunday."
Sunday is when Liège-Bastogne-Liège takes place, and where Pogačar will look to retain his title. The Slovenian managed to win the Monument last year in a sprint, beating Julian Alaphilippe and David Gaudu to the line.
When answering if placing twelfth today and struggling to hold on in the final stages of the race is a problem, Pogačar reiterated his lack of concern at the performance. Instead, he made clear his focus is completely on Sunday's race, while suggesting a supposed poor performance isn't necessarily conducive to how he'll fare at the weekend.
"When you think about it, two years ago I was ninth," Pogačar explains. "It was a similar style finish to this year and in the end of this race I was in the front group so I'm fully motivated for Sunday.
"I don't see this as weakness, in a one-day race this happens - sometimes you cannot do your best day, and sometimes you can do really good. But, I don't think this was any weakness."
Pogačar certainly has a point. After all, he followed up his ninth-place finish at Flèche Wallonne in 2020 by coming third at Liège-Bastogne-Liège just four days later. He will be looking to perform more like he did in 2021 this time around, though.
Thank you for reading 10 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Ryan is a staff writer for Cycling Weekly, having joined the team in September 2021. He first joined Future in December 2020, working across FourFourTwo, Golf Monthly, Rugby World and Advnture's websites, before making his way to cycling. After graduating from Cardiff University with a degree in Journalism and Communications, Ryan earned a NCTJ qualification to further develop as a writer.
-
-
‘Moments to live and remember’: Roglič set to win the pink jersey after winning extraordinary penultimate stage of the Giro d’Italia
Thomas loses the pink jersey to Slovenian by just 14 seconds
By Stephen Puddicombe • Published
-
The best Memorial Day deals for cyclists
Memorial Day is coming up in the United States. We've rounded up the best Memorial Day deals for cyclists including bikes, apparel, gear and accessories.
By Anne-Marije Rook • Published
-
Tweets of the week: AI Jonas Vingegaard, Tadej Pogačar on draught, and Alison Jackson is back
Also, who subscribes to Twitter Blue? And Trek-Segafredo digitally age their ridersx
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Tadej Pogačar luxury watch thieves to serve time after Paris-Nice robbery
The Tour of Flanders champion is the latest cycling star to be robbed of a luxury watch
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Tadej Pogačar claims Kwaremont-Paterberg Strava KOM in Tour of Flanders romp
The two-time Tour de France winner took a host of Strava trophies in Flanders on Sunday
By Tom Davidson • Published
-
Tweets of the week: When cycling goes mainstream, George Bennett loses his bike, and the sandy Saudi Tour
Two unknown cyclists went viral last weekend, it's a shame that we will never know their identities. All that, and more
By Adam Becket • Published
-
A deep dive into Tadej Pogačar's iconic helmet hair tufts
The Slovenian two time Tour de France champion harnesses his hair to great effect, but what's the secret?
By Adam Becket • Published
-
CW Live: Julian Alaphilippe to begin season with Faun-Ardèche Classic; Caleb Ewan confirmed for Milan-San Remo; autopsy confirms impact with truck killed Davide Rebellin; Remco Evenepoel to start 2023 at Vuelta a San Juan and UAE Tour dates confirmed
All the need to know news in cycling on 21 December
By Tom Thewlis • Last updated
-
Beating Argentina like outsprinting Van Aert and van der Poel says World Cup coach
‘We were with Van der Poel, Van Aert and Pogačar and we still crossed the line before them’ says Saudi Arabia coach Hervé Renard
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Why does no one want to buy Tadej Pogačar's diamond-encrusted NFT shoe?
The online charity auction is yet to attract a bid
By Tom Davidson • Last updated