Tadej Pogačar Triumphs in UAE Tour, Reigniting Season’s Promise
Seven-time Grand Tour winner Tadej Pogačar wasted no time in stamping his authority on the 2023 cycling season. The Slovenian powerhouse secured a resounding victory in the seventh and final stage of the UAE Tour, capping off a dominant display that earned him the overall title for the third consecutive year.
Pogačar’s triumph mirrored his performance in the race’s third stage, where he ascended the formidable Jebel Jais with unmatched speed. Once again, on Sunday’s finale, he showcased his exceptional climbing abilities, surging to victory atop the iconic Jebel Hafeet.
The 11-kilometer ascent, with its punishing 6.7% average gradient, proved to be the stage’s defining moment. Pogačar skillfully exploited the pace set by his UAE Team Emirates teammates, isolating his nearest rival, Joshua Tarling (Ineos Grenadiers), with over 8 kilometers remaining.
Unleashing an unstoppable attack, Pogačar distanced his opponents and rode solo to the summit, a familiar sight for cycling enthusiasts who witnessed his dominance throughout the 2022 season.
Pogačar’s commanding victory cemented his status as the rider to beat this year. The 24-year-old Slovenian finished 1 minute and 14 seconds ahead of Italian Giulio Ciccone (Lidl-Trek) and 1 minute and 19 seconds ahead of Spaniard Pello Bilbao (Bahrain Victorious).
When asked if his early success signaled a dominant season ahead, Pogačar remained cautiously optimistic. "We’ll see," he replied, hinting at a shift in focus towards the spring classics.
"We have to go into classics mode now," Pogačar stated. "I’ll try to do most of them," he added, referring to the prestigious one-day races such as Milan-San Remo, Tour of Flanders, and Liège-Bastogne-Liège.
Pogačar’s participation in these classics will be eagerly anticipated by fans worldwide. Should he find success on the cobblestones and bergs of Northern Europe, he will further cement his place among the sport’s all-time greats.
The UAE Tour triumph marks a promising start to Pogačar’s season. As he transitions from grand tour dominance to one-day glory, the cycling world holds its breath in anticipation of what the Slovenian sensation will achieve next.
