To those left doubting after last weekend’s time trial performance (as much in hope of a competitive road race as any more serious concerns about the Slovenian’s form), Tadej Pogačar responded in the most Tadej Pogačar way possible — attacking with more than 100km to go and giving the cycling world another display of his staggering dominance as he defended his rainbow jersey.
Pogačar claims his second world title in Rwanda! Evenepoel and Ben Healy round out the podium ? pic.twitter.com/4rCnHnxUlk
— Cycling on TNT Sports (@cyclingontnt) September 28, 2025
Just as in Zürich 12 months ago the biggest one-day race of the season was decided well before the sport’s poster boy soloed across the line. However, on this year’s course with even more climbing and considered the toughest worlds course in years, the gap was even bigger — Pogačar 1:28 clear of Remco Evenepoel in second and 2:16 ahead of Ireland’s Ben Healy, who took bronze to cap off a superb year.
With another hilly edition in Montreal next year, you’d be a brave (or perhaps just foolish) person to predict anything other than the Slovenian joining Peter Sagan and Jeannie Longo as winners of three consecutive world champs.
There was frustration for Evenepoel in second, the Belgian lashing out after mechanicals made the near impossible task of challenging a rampaging Pogačar even more unlikely.
In the Pog era the world champs of the action slowly coming to the boil after hours and hours of accumulated fatigue and gradual attrition are long gone. Maybe that’s still the case for the minor places, but not for the world’s best cyclist.
Tadej Pogačar makes a move ?
Juan Ayuso ?? the only rider that can match him and go with the acceleration.
100km to go ? with Isaac del Toro ?? now trying to get across. #Kigali2025 pic.twitter.com/9LqX8G1nTC
— UCI (@UCI_cycling) September 28, 2025
The UAE Team Emirates star made his move with 104km to go and was joined by trade teammate Isaac del Toro until 67km to go.
From there it was another staggering solo masterclass.
“The parcours was designed for this [long-range attack],” Pogačar reacted afterwards, although he did admit he was hoping a small group would stay with him later, the Slovenian explaining how Del Toro was struggling with stomach issues.
“I was left alone quite early, like last year, just fighting with myself, but I’m so happy I made it. For sure [there were moments of doubt] because the climbs were getting harder and harder every lap, and the downhills weren’t so fast, you had to pedal quite a lot.
“It was so hard, the few final laps, of course you doubt a bit but you have to push through.”
On a brutal day where far more riders did not finish than completed the 267km distance, Tom Pidcock was the top Brit, finishing in 10th place, while the aforementioned Healy got a well-deserved spot on the podium having seen off Denmark’s Mattias Skjelmose once Evenepoel had left their group to secure his silver.
15 thoughts on “Tadej Pogačar defends rainbow jersey with another stunning 100km attack”
Good to see him finish such a
Good to see him finish such a disappointing year on a high🙂 Incredible!
Terrific effort by Evanapoel to get silver after his TT win.
And great to see Healey get on the podium.
Exciting times to follow cycling.
It would be great to see Pogacar win Paris Roubaix and a world TT medal next year!
He might struggle with the TT
He might struggle with the TT medal, think it’s taken.
Not necessarily the gold. Any
Not necessarily the gold. Any medal would fill one of the few gaps in his CV.
I think that young man can
I think that young man can achieve anything in cycling that he wants. He is absolutely magnificent. It’s a pleasure just being able to watch him perform.
If he desires later on in his career he could set an astounding hour, or maybe deliver a crushing world record LEJOG.
I just hope he stays interested…
bobbypuk wrote:
Um, “next year”.
Sorry I’m being a bit thick.
Sorry I’m being a bit thick. I don’t follow.
Mr Blackbird wrote:
Expressed myself badly, I meant a year is a heck of a long time, look at the injuries Evenepoel suffered in a no-fault-of-his-own training accident last December; saying any medal is “taken” a year out is a very ambitious prediction.
True. And also nobody knows
True. And also nobody knows what other talented young riders could emerge.
Remco had a torrid day for
Remco had a torrid day for sure and finished with a face like thunder but you have to doubt he’d have beaten Pogi even without those setbacks. Horrific gaps in the field, 10th (Pidcock, good showing) at 9 minutes, just 30 finishers. Was the course too tough?
Finishers on a lap finale is
Finishers on a lap finale is deceptive as those in risk of getting lapped get pulled. Also, much easier to call it quits, bit like riding past your home on a tough club ride.
Healey’s the rider of the
Healey’s the rider of the race, that guy is a total metronome of consistency – he just keeps trying, continually!
leedorney wrote:
Healy was brilliant, as he has been all season, but I think you’ll find the rider of the race is the one who went on a 100 km plus breakaway and won it.
Healy was even better.
Healy was even better.
mdavidford wrote:
Thanking you, corrected.
That was a fun race to watch,
That was a fun race to watch, and complete and utter carnage.
On the one hand I can understand them pulling riders out. However, a number of riders pulled out towards the end could have earned UCI ranking points. The points go down to something like 50th or 60th if I remember correctly. So many riders are fighting for contracts and teams fighting for ranking position, so I do think it is poor to only have 30 finished. That is a decent amount of ranking points lost into the ether.