Pogacar dominates final climb to secure Liege hat-trick

LIEGE: World champion Tadej Pogacar produced another commanding performance on Sunday, using a powerful attack on the final climb to secure his third consecutive Liège-Bastogne-Liège title.

The Slovenian completed the 259.5-kilometre race in 5 hours, 50 minutes and 28 seconds, adding a 13th Monument victory to his career and continuing his strong season after earlier wins at the Tour of Flanders and Milan-San Remo.

The race came alive when Pogacar launched his decisive move on the Côte de la Redoute. French debutant Paul Seixas responded impressively, sticking to the wheel of the four-time Tour de France winner and staying with him for nearly 20 kilometres as the leading group fractured behind them.

However, Pogacar made his winning move on the Côte de la Roche-aux-Faucons with less than 14 kilometres remaining, accelerating clear and never looking back as he rode solo to the finish.

Seixas, who was attempting to become the first French winner of the race since 1980, finished 45 seconds behind after a brave debut performance. Belgium’s Remco Evenepoel took third place after winning the sprint from the chasing group.

The victory moves Pogacar one Liège title away from Eddy Merckx’s record of five wins, set between 1969 and 1975.