"The impossible happened" - Jose De Cauwer analyses Pogacar’s failed solo at Amstel Gold Race

Something extraordinary unfolded at the Amstel Gold Race: Tadej Pogacar launched one of his signature solo attacks…and it didn’t work.

In a rare sight, the Slovenian was caught by Remco Evenepoel and Mattias Skjelmose, setting up a dramatic three-man sprint. It was Skjelmose who stunned the cycling world by taking the victory, leaving both Pogacar and Evenepoel behind.

Belgian commentator José De Cauwer broke down the key moments of the race on Sporza. "That stays with us, Pogacar who is caught. In the chase, Remco Evenepoel and Mattias Skjelmose supported and used each other. It happened."

De Cauwer believes Pogacar’s decision to react to an early move from Julian Alaphilippe may have triggered the decisive misstep, "It was a mistake. Pogacar was very eager. I think he would have waited, but he would have started earlier. Those 10 kilometers may have been too much. But still: no excuses. The race has been run and we have a beautiful winner."

For once, Pogacar looked vulnerable, "Pogacar was a few lengths away and pulled faces that we are not really used to."

On Evenepoel’s reaction during the finale, De Cauwer noted, "He was seduced by Pogacar, who had not yet started. He saw a jersey move and that is deadly. You are ready, you wait and then that faint movement comes and you are off."

As for the sprint, De Cauwer thinks Pogacar misjudged his timing, "Pogacar himself made the mistake by coming too quickly from Evenepoel's track. Maybe he had seen Friday's sprint and thought he had to start on time. But the impossible happened."

And Skjelmose? The underdog victory wasn’t just a surprise, it was a story that gives hope to the rest of the peloton, "It's nice that the citizen gets courage to keep racing. He rode for third place, he admitted himself."