Tadej Pogacar conquers the rainbow jersey for the first time in his career in the 274 km World Championship road race from Winterthur to Zurich. The Slovenian top favorite attacks with more than 100 km to go and crowns his long escape with the title. Marc Hirschi narrowly missed out on a medal in 6th place.
Tadej Pogacar wins the rainbow jersey in the road race at the World Cycling Championships in Zurich. The Slovenian wins after an impressive solo ride.
As the best Swiss, Marc Hirschi crossed the finish line in sixth place with the first chasing group. Australian Ben O’Connor surprisingly took silver, while defending champion Mathieu van der Poel took bronze.
Hirschi tried several times in the final lap to break away from his companions behind Pogacar. But he didn’t get through. He had no chance in the sprint for the medals.
With the world title, Pogacar closed another gap in his already outstanding Palmarès. The three-time winner of the Tour de France really wanted the world title in Zurich and grabbed it with a hussar ride. The 273 km long route, with some brutal climbs spread over almost 4500 meters in altitude, and with constant ups and downs, made for an impressive solo ride.
The 26-year-old Slovenian had already flexed his muscles 100 km before the finish. It would prove to be a decisive attack. On a longer climb in Wittikon, he left all of his co-favorites behind and caught up with the leading group. There, team colleague Jan Tratnik, a strong time trialist, set the pace before Pogacar also dismantled this group into its individual parts 78 km from the finish.
Even at the back of the field, coordinated follow-up work was no longer an option with 50 km to go. On the hilly course, everyone drove on their own, although Hirschi, the double Olympic champion Remco Evenepoel and the defending champion Mathieu van der Poel found themselves in a group. (sda)
