Emirates Team Pogacar hungry for more after Amstel Gold win – News

The 24-year-old Emirati Slovenian finished first in the Dutch Classic in 6 hours, 01 minutes and 02 seconds

Slovenian cyclist Tadej Pogacar celebrates after winning the Amstel Gold Race. – Agence France-Presse

Tadej Pogacar clinched his 11th victory of the season on Sunday when he left Tom Pidcock on his ascent and covered more than 30km solo to win the prestigious Amstel Gold Race.

The 24-year-old Slovenian of Team Emirates took first place in the Dutch Classic with a time of 6:01:02, ahead of disappointing EF Education-EasyPost’s Ben Healy of Ireland. British driver Pidcock was third.

Pogacar will face Remco Evenepoel in a mouthwatering duel next weekend in Liege-Bastogne-Liege, with the defending Belgian champion tasked with taming the 2021 title winners.

Before that, he also tackled La Fleche Wallone midweek.

“It’s a tough race for me. I’ve never had a good result there, but with the form we’re in right now and a good team, we can also do well in Fleish,” Poga said. Carl said.

Alexey Lutsenko and Andreas Kron narrowly beat Pidcock in their desperate pursuit of third to finish in the top five on Sunday .

Pogacar changed bikes before the climb, and his signature climbing kick left others standing.

“We hadn’t had a car for a long time, but we managed to get the bikes in time for the last climb,” Pogacar said.

He later explained that driver Mathieu van der Poel had tipped him off about the strategy.

“He told me I should go to Keutenberg, which is the hardest climb and it suits me best. He told me three days ago and he sent me a message. I will thank him for his advice,” he said.

In the overcast run between Maastricht and Valkenburg, the leading trio came out on top in a massive 90km assault to continue the 253.6km race over unforgiving hills.

Pogacar later eased a shot from the in-form Pidcock up the Keutenberg hill, which explains why the double Tour de France winner claimed victory in his Tour de France earlier this month.

Dutch rider Demi Vollering emerged victorious on the final downhill to win the women’s race, taking the 26-year-old’s third major win of the season after the Strade Bianche and the Tour of Flanders.