UAE Team Emirates' Tour de France champion Tadej Pogacar said he was "almost speechless" after producing a blistering finish to become the youngest winner of the Liege-Bastogne-Liege in 44 years on Sunday.
The Slovenian, 22, produced a super sprint to claim victory at “La Doyenne” ahead of world champion Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck-Quick Step), David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ), Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) and Michael Woods (Israel Start-Up Nation).
The quintet had an advantage on the main group 13.5-kilometre from the finish when, near the brow of the Cote de la Roche aux Faucons, Davide Formolo pulled back Richard Carapaz (Ineo-Grenadiers), opening the way for an attack by Woods.
Pogacar, Gaudu, Valverde and Alaphilippe followed the Canadian and this group managed to maintain an advantage of just over 20 seconds on the chasing pack until the final sprint.
Entering the sprint, Pogacar was glued to Alaphilippe’s wheel, coming around the Frenchman in the final metres before the line.
The win topped off a solid team performance for UAE Team Emirates with Marc Hirschi sixth and Formolo 16th.
“I am almost speechless,” Pogacar said after claiming the 259.1km race in six hours 39 minutes and 26 seconds.
“I really love this race. Winning here was a dream of mine and it is incredible to have achieved this goal and finish ahead of these big names.
“In the sprint I was behind Alaphilippe when he opened up and I tried to stick with him. I wasn’t sure I would be able to overtake him but, with strength and a bit of luck, I did it.
“I have won the Tour de France, I have won other high level races and now I have conquered the Liege-Bastogne-Liege. I’m living a cycling dream.
“Now I will rest, spend some time with my family and then resume my preparation for the Tour de France.”
Pogacar won the Tour de France last year and began 2021 by claiming the season-opening UAE Tour in February. The Slovenian signed a new five-year contract with the team in March.
Tuesday's fixtures
Kyrgyzstan v Qatar, 5.45pm
UK's plans to cut net migration
Under the UK government’s proposals, migrants will have to spend 10 years in the UK before being able to apply for citizenship.
Skilled worker visas will require a university degree, and there will be tighter restrictions on recruitment for jobs with skills shortages.
But what are described as "high-contributing" individuals such as doctors and nurses could be fast-tracked through the system.
Language requirements will be increased for all immigration routes to ensure a higher level of English.
Rules will also be laid out for adult dependants, meaning they will have to demonstrate a basic understanding of the language.
The plans also call for stricter tests for colleges and universities offering places to foreign students and a reduction in the time graduates can remain in the UK after their studies from two years to 18 months.
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
The specs: 2018 Jaguar E-Pace First Edition
Price, base / as tested: Dh186,480 / Dh252,735
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder
Power: 246hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 365Nm @ 1,200rpm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.7L / 100km
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