Yesterday,
Tadej Pogacar once again etched his name into
cycling history with a commanding victory at La Flèche Wallonne, dominating the
iconic Mur de Huy with a late, explosive assault that left even the formidable
Remco Evenepoel trailing in his wake.
The Slovenian superstar’s second career win at the Belgian
classic not only showcased his unparalleled climbing ability but also marked a
significant milestone: Pogacar now holds the record for the most World Tour
victories since 2010, with 73, surpassing some of the sport’s most illustrious
names. But who did he overtake?
The 2025 edition of La Flèche Wallonne unfolded over a
grueling 205.1-kilometer course from Ciney to Huy, characterized by relentless
rain and treacherous conditions. The race culminated, as always, on the
fearsome Mur de Huy, a 1.3-kilometer climb with gradients peaking at 19% and an
average of 9.6%.
Pogacar, riding for UAE Team Emirates-XRG, executed a
perfectly timed attack 500 meters from the finish, around the steepest corner
of the climb named after Eddy Merckx. His seated acceleration was so ferocious
that no rider, including Olympic champion Evenepoel, could respond. Kévin
Vauquelin (Arkéa-B&B Hotels) finished a distant second, 10 seconds back,
with Tom Pidcock (Q36.5) securing third, 12 seconds behind.
Evenepoel, despite being well-positioned throughout the
race, lacked the punch to challenge Pogacar’s onslaught, finishing ninth, and
had no answer for his rival in the wet.
Pogacar’s victory was not just a display of physical
dominance but a historic achievement. According to Cycling Statistics, his 73rd
World Tour win since 2010 propelled him past
Peter Sagan, who held the record
with 72 victories, followed closely by
Mark Cavendish with 71 and Primoz Roglic
with 67.
This statistic highlights Pogacar’s extraordinary
versatility and consistency at the age of just 26. Unlike Sagan, a sprint and
classics specialist, or Cavendish, the most prolific stage winner in Tour de
France history, Pogacar’s victories span one-day classics, Grand Tour stages,
and overall classifications. His ability to excel across diverse terrains, puncheur
climbs like the Mur de Huy, cobbled classics like the Tour of Flanders, and
high mountains in the Tour de France, sets him apart as a once in a lifetime
talent.
Analysing this World Tour victory tally offers insight into
the distinct career arcs of these cycling titans. Sagan’s 72 wins, with his
last World Tour victory coming on stage 3 of the Tour de Suisse in 2022,
reflect his dominance in the early 2010s as a three-time world champion and
seven-time Tour de France green jersey winner. His versatility in sprints and
classics made him a fan favourite, but his World Tour wins tapered off as he
transitioned to a mentorship role in his later years.
Cavendish, with 71 wins, remains the sprinting gold
standard, his 35 Tour de France stage victories a record that may stand for
decades (unless of course Pogacar continues to win as he has been). Roglic,
with 67 wins, has carved a niche as a stage race specialist, with four Vuelta a
España titles and consistent Grand Tour performances, though his one-day race
victories are significantly fewer than Pogacar’s.
Pogacar’s ascent to the top of this list at such a young age
is staggering. His 73 World Tour wins include eight monuments, a number poised
to grow as he eyes Liège-Bastogne-Liège this Sunday. Will anyone have an answer
for him?
Sometimes, it can become boring to list off all the
legendary statistics and records Pogacar sets. But, even if some fans would
prefer closer competition, we do still need to appreciate just how special a
rider he is. At only 26, he could still just be getting started.