"I always race to win" - Tadej Pogacar 'ready to go again' at La Fleche Wallonne after Amstel Gold Race near-miss

Tadej Pogacar comes into the 2025 La Fleche Wallonne with a point to prove, off the back of a rare question to his superiority last time out at the Amstel Gold Race. This probably makes the Slovenian more dangerous than ever though and having already won La Fleche Wallonne back in 2023, Pogacar is keen to claim more Ardennes success this afternoon.

Since Pogacar was sensationally beaten by Mattias Skjelmose last Sunday, there have even been questions raised over whether or not the UAE Team Emirates - XRG leader should be resting instead of competing at La Fleche Wallonne. Team boss Mauro Gianetti refuted that idea, but did put forward the idea that Pogacar doesn't need to bounce back with an immediate victory. According to the man himself however, it's always win or bust.

“That’s not how it works in my head. They can say what they want, but I always race to win. I’m in good form, so why not?” Pogacar questions rhetorically in a pre-La Fleche Wallonne interview. “I’ve got a strong team, and I’ve won here before after a few tries. Each edition, I felt better on the Mur de Huy, so experience won’t be an issue. I had two good, quiet days after Amstel to recover, so I feel ready to go again. We’ve approached the classics the right way.”