UAE Team Emirates-XRG clinches third victory in Europe

World Champion Tadej Pogačar delivered a commanding performance to clinch his third victory at the oldest of the cycling Monuments: Liège-Bastogne-Liège, taking UAE Team Emirates-XRG’s 35th victory of the seasons.

Pogačar launched a decisive solo attack 35 kilometres from the finish on the iconic Côte de la Redoute. He would remain solo for the remainder of the race crossing the line 1’03” ahead of Italy’s Giulio Ciccone (Lidl-Trek) and Ireland’s Ben Healy (Education First Easypost), who secured second and third places, respectively.

This victory marks Pogačar’s ninth Monument win, placing him third on the all-time list behind Eddy Merckx and Roger de Vlaeminck. Notably, he becomes the first cyclist to podium in six consecutive Monument races.

Meanwhile, at the Vuelta Asturias in Spain, Marc Soler cemented victory on stage 4 from Navia to Oviedo (135.6km) with an impressive solo stage win. The short stage packed 2550m of climbing to be done, with the Alto del Violeo (3.6 km at 8.4 per cent) and the steep El Cristo climb (900 meters at 10.3 per cent) as the final test.

After moving away in a small group on the Violeo climb, Soler eventually crossed the finish line with a lead and put the crown on an already successful tour. For the 31-year-old climber, this is the first victory since his Vuelta triumph last year on the slopes of the Lagos de Covadonga. It is the first time since 2018 that Soler has won a multi-day stage race.