Tadej Pogacar claimed victory at the 2024 World Championships in Zurich, securing the coveted Rainbow Jersey and achieving the historic ‘Triple Crown’ with a remarkable 100km solo attack. While Pogacar was a favorite before the race, few anticipated his bold strategy.
Initially, six riders formed a breakaway, including Silvan Dillier and Rui Oliveira. However, several top contenders, such as Julian Alaphilippe, withdrew early due to crashes. The race intensified when Pablo Castrillo attacked, causing chaos in the peloton and prompting various counter-attacks. A ten-man chase group eventually formed, merging with the breakaway.
As the race progressed, Pogacar unleashed a fierce attack at 90km, linking up with Jan from the break. He continued to dominate, dropping most of the breakaway riders on a subsequent climb. Despite efforts from Remco Evenepoel and Mathieu van der Poel to chase him down, Pogacar maintained his lead. As he approached the final 50km, he distanced himself from his last companion, Pavel Sivakov, ultimately riding solo to victory. This extraordinary performance solidified Pogacar’s place in cycling history.
