Tadej Pogacar remounts after fall and charges to Strade Bianche win

FLORENCE – Slovenia’s Tadej Pogacar won the Strade Bianche on March 8 for the third time in his career, after recovering from a fall 50km from the finish.

The Team UAE rider topped the podium in Siena by 1min 24sec ahead of Briton Tom Pidcock, with Belgium’s Tim Wellens a further 48sec adrift.

After victory in the Tuscan one-day race in 2022 and 2024, 26-year-old Pogacar now equals Swiss rider Fabian Cancellara’s record of three victories in the Strade Bianche.

“Pretty good race today. The race was super fast. It was a really strong breakaway and our guys did super amazing work in the front,” said Pogacar, who completed the 213km race in 5hr 13min and 58sec.

“We just went fast and it was a really hard race.”

After falling off his bike at a corner on a descent, Pogacar displayed several cuts to his body, with blood notably visible on his left shoulder.

“I enjoyed it until I crossed the finish line. Now I’m in adrenaline wear-off and I start to feel a lot of pain,” said the reigning world champion and Tour de France winner.

“Not the best way to win a race, but a win is a win. Let’s hope it’s nothing worse than it looks and all should be fine.

“I went too fast I guess. I know this road very well. I rode it already 20 times in my life,” added Pogacar, who had been leading at the time of his fall.

“For a moment, I didn’t know if I was OK. The bike was not working, so I had to change the bike.

“I was a bit worried because when you crash, the body takes a lot from you. But still, I had enough to finish it off.”

Pogacar saw his rear wheel give