April 18, 2023
Shorter and with fewer metres of elevation than the other Ardennes Classics, Flèche Wallonne could prove less than straightforward in Pogačar’s quest for the prestigious hattrick
Even before last weekend’s Amstel Gold Race it was tough to envisage any of the Ardennes Classics not going the way of the currently unstoppable Tadej Pogačar. Such is his level above everyone else, and so easily has he made history with his victories so far this year, that it almost seems inevitable that he’ll become only the third man to bag the prestigious hattrick.
He’s accomplished step one, riding by his own playbook of dropping everyone strong enough to remain at the front of the race with him at Amstel Gold Race. Pogačar knew he wanted to make his decisive attack on the Keutenberg, he did it, and then no-one saw him again. It was an effort that didn’t look quite as torturous as the one he needed to break free of Mathieu van der Poel at the Tour of Flanders, but it was another demonstration of a method that has brought him constant success so far this season.
Of course, rampaging solo breakaways are not the Slovenian’s only method of procuring victories. His win at Liège-Bastogne-Liège in 2021 came from a five-up sprint amongst fatigued climbers and puncheurs, a scenario in which he’s proven himself to be a favourite for success time and again in stage races.
Read more: La Flèche Wallonne preview 2023 – Route, predictions and contenders
Like Amstel Gold, Liège gives Pogačar even more of an edge (if he actually needed it), even if he will face-off against some stiffer competition in Remco Evenepoel. The race is brutally long, relentless in climbing, and provides perfect launchpads for a rider or a small group to leave a drained peloton in their wake.
Wednesday’s midweek offering of Flèche Wallonne is by no means a walk in the park either. It features 11 climbs over its 194.2km distance, but is constantly defined by the final ascent of the steep slopes of the Mur de Huy. And it could prove to be the hardest of the three for Pogačar to tame.
The parcours, while hard, is usually never enough to severely fracture the peloton, meaning almost every year the existing breakaway or late solo attackers face a tall order to try and stay away even to the foot of the final ride up the Mur. From…