In what can only be described as a masterclass in power, patience, and pure passion, Tadej Pogacar stamped his authority on the 2025 edition of La Flèche Wallonne, claiming victory in a rain-soaked, punishing battle on the steep slopes of the iconic Mur de Huy. On a day when the heavens opened and the roads turned slick and treacherous, Pogacar rose to the occasion and delivered a searing late acceleration that shattered the hopes of his rivals and secured yet another jewel in his already glittering palmarès.
The Slovenian superstar from UAE Team Emirates – XRG crossed the line with a look of grim determination, arms raised modestly in triumph, just ahead of a valiant Kévin Vauquelin (Arkéa-B&B Hotels) and the ever-dangerous Tom Pidcock (Q36.5 Pro Cycling). It was a finale worthy of the race’s legendary status, and a performance that will be replayed in highlight reels for years to come.
A Race Against the Elements
From the moment the neutral flag dropped, it was clear that this year’s Flèche Wallonne would not be one for the faint of heart. Rain began falling early in the race and never truly let up, with persistent showers turning the roads of Wallonia into slippery channels of attrition. Riders fought not only against each other but against the elements, with several crashes and mechanicals taking their toll long before the decisive moments.
The peloton appeared tense throughout the day, with visibility reduced and riders coated in a cocktail of rain, grit, and mud. A number of early breakaway attempts came and went, but none gained much of a leash, as the major teams were unwilling to let anything slip away in such unpredictable conditions.
With around 60 kilometers to go, a group of opportunists formed off the front, testing the legs of the peloton. It included strong engines like Ben Healy (EF Education-EasyPost), Mauri Vansevenant (Soudal–Quick-Step), and Davide Formolo (Movistar). Though their efforts injected energy into the race and briefly animated proceedings, it always felt like a prelude to the inevitable drama on the Mur.
The Final Climb: Where Legends Are Forged
As the riders approached the final ascent of the Mur de Huy—1.3 kilometers of brutally steep gradients averaging 9.6%, with pitches ramping up to 19%—the peloton was whittled down to a core group of contenders. UAE Team Emirates – XRG had done their homework, keeping Pogacar well-positioned and protected, while the likes of Arkéa-B&B Hotels and Q36.5 were clearly intent on spoiling the party.
When the road began to ramp up, the pace slowed briefly, as if the riders were steeling themselves for a collective trial by fire. Then, with just under 300 meters to go, Pogacar surged. It was not so much a sprint as a rocket launch—his cadence rapid, his body language calm but forceful. He opened a gap instantly.
Behind him, Kévin Vauquelin responded with impressive resilience. The 23-year-old Frenchman, riding the biggest race of his career, gritted his teeth and tried to claw back time, refusing to let the Slovenian ride away without a fight. Just behind, Tom Pidcock followed, the Olympic mountain bike champion showing his trademark explosiveness—but even he could not close the gap.
The final 100 meters became a coronation, albeit a painful one. Pogacar grinded up the last bends, out of the saddle and drenched to the bone, to take his first Flèche Wallonne victory—one of the few classics missing from his ever-expanding trophy cabinet.
Pogacar Speaks: “A Day for the Brave”
“I knew I had to time it perfectly,” Pogacar said after the race, speaking through chattering teeth. “The Mur is always hard, but with the rain and cold, today was something else. This is one of those races where you suffer from start to finish. I’m really proud of how the team controlled everything. When I went, I just hoped my legs would hold. Thankfully, they did.”
He added with a wry smile, “This was a day for the brave.”
Pogacar’s win cements his place as the most versatile and dominant rider of his generation. Already a two-time Tour de France winner, he now adds Flèche Wallonne to his collection of monuments and major classics, which includes Liège–Bastogne–Liège, Il Lombardia, and Strade Bianche.
A Breakout Ride for Vauquelin
Though Pogacar stole the headlines, the ride of Kévin Vauquelin deserves high praise. The young Frenchman, often viewed as a climber with potential, showed immense maturity and strength in one of the most demanding one-day races on the calendar.
“I felt good all day,” Vauquelin said post-race. “I saw Pogacar go, and I tried to follow. I really gave everything. Second place against a rider like him… I think I can be proud of that.”
For Arkéa-B&B Hotels, this result signals a step up in ambitions. Vauquelin’s podium finish shows that the team can mix it with the WorldTour giants on the biggest of stages.
Pidcock Solid, but Still Searching
Tom Pidcock’s third place was a reminder of his consistency and talent. Always a threat in punchy races, the British rider is still searching for his first Flèche win, but his result today was no disappointment.
“I felt decent, but on the Mur, if you’re not absolutely perfect, it’s game over,” Pidcock admitted. “Pogacar had that extra gear today. I’ll keep coming back—this race suits me, and I believe my time will come.”
Looking Ahead: Liège Looms
With Flèche Wallonne now in the books, attention turns to Sunday’s Liège–Bastogne–Liège, the oldest of the five Monuments, where Pogacar will once again line up as a favorite. The question now is not if he can win, but whether anyone can stop him.
If the form and ferocity he showed on the Mur de Huy are anything to go by, the rest of the peloton will need a miracle—or at the very least, dry roads—to beat him.
Final Top 10 – 2025 Flèche Wallonne:
- Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates – XRG)
- Kévin Vauquelin (Arkéa-B&B Hotels)
- Tom Pidcock (Q36.5 Pro Cycling)
- Romain Bardet (dsm-firmenich PostNL)
- Michael Woods (Israel-Premier Tech)
- Mattias Skjelmose (Lidl-Trek)
- Giulio Ciccone (Lidl-Trek)
- Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost)
- Ben O’Connor (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale)
- Max Poole (dsm-firmenich PostNL)
One thing is certain: whether in sunshine or storm, Tadej Pogacar continues to redefine what it means to be a champion in modern cycling.
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