Tadej Pogacar overcomes crash and bloodied limbs to drop Tom Pidcock and win a dramatic Strade Bianche

Tadej Pogacar crashed into a hedge, emerging bloodied and battered, but nothing could stop him at Strade Bianche. After a high-speed wipe-out on a descent, the Slovenian lost 30 seconds to Tom Pidcock – who later waited for him – but recovered, attacked again, and dropped his rival with 19km to go. From disaster to dominance, Pogacar delivered a stunning comeback to claim victory in Siena.

Highlights: Bloodied Pogacar wins second straight Strade Bianche

Video credit: TNT Sports

Despite one of the most dramatic mid-race falls of his career, Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) picked himself up off the Tuscan tarmac before riding to a second Strade Bianche title in a row, the third of his career.

The incident, which saw Pogacar lose his back wheel and slide out, occurred 50km from the finish on a stretch of descent, as the world champion was going toe to toe with Tom Pidcock (Q36.5) at the front of the race.

It might have presented an opportunity for Pidcock but, in a gentlemanly act uncommon to some sports, the British rider opted to ease up and wait for his rival. He might have regretted that decision 30km later. On the penultimate sector of sterrato, Pogacar put in a single acceleration and rode away, ultimately to victory and a hero's welcome in Siena's Piazza del Campo.

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Battered Pogacar wins Strade Bianche for third time

Video credit: TNT Sports

Most pre-race predictions had centred on how Pogacar would seal his third title, rather than if. His second title a year ago, which saw him launch a race-winning attack 81km out, set the Slovenian out as something of an unstoppable force on the steep hills and white roads of northern Italy.

Halfway through the race an initial 10-man breakaway was reduced to six, including three British riders, as the remainder rode as hard as they could to keep clear of a peloton led by Pogacar's marauding UAE Team Emirates colleagues. As they approached the same stretch of sterrato as was witness to Pogacar's stunning solo attack a year ago, the Monte Sante Marie, the infernal pace had decimated the peloton.

Through 80km and still no move, as anticipation built and the temperature rose. A thousand metres later and the attack came - though not from Pogacar but Pidcock. The Pogacar saw that as his time to go, and immediately countered. Pidcock, in turn, was the only rider able to hold the wheel, as the pair swallowed and spat out what remained of the break.

From that initial group, Connor Swift (Ineos Grenadiers) managed to stay just in touch with the powerful pair. The British gravel champion showed his strength on the climbs and handling skills on the dusty descents. While Pidcock might have been expected to let Pogacar do most of the work, he wanted to present himself as an equal not an underling, and shared the effort.

Swift, for his part, though contributing less, was looking good for the podium until Pogacar's fall, 49.7km from the finish. Although there was no contact, needing to take evasive manoeuvres brought him to a standstill. When Pogacar put out the maximum power required to make it back to the front of the race, Swift had no hope of hanging on.

Deep purple patches of road rash showing through his ripped rainbow skinsuit, Pogacar looked to make up the lost ground. Unbeknown to him, Pidcock had decided to slow his own effort and wait for the world champion to resume their battle on the road.

Hostilities remained suspended for a further 25km, as they shared the work to stay clear of the chasers. On the penultimate sector of sterrato, Colle Pinzuto, Pogacar launched what would prove to be the race-winning move. A seated acceleration was enough to distance Pidcock in a few pedal strokes. A small, visible gap became a measurable, mighty one and before too long Pogacar was out of sight.

'Battered and bruised' - Pogacar rides away from Pidcock with decisive attack

Video credit: TNT Sports

Not as jubilant but no less determined than in previous years, by the time he reached Siena's limits he was more than a minute clear, the third victory more than secure.

Pidcock's second place was as good as many wins, though it will not feel like it, and a result worthy of celebration for his second division team.

At the finish a bashful Pogacar confirmed his injuries were as superficial as they seemed.

"Not the best way to win a race," he said. "But a win is a win."

The crash, he accepted, was entirely the result of rider error.

"I went too fast, I guess," he said. "I know this road very well. I rode it 20 times in my life but sometimes you misjudge. I slipped and... s*** happens. I was a bit worried because a crash takes a lot out of you, but I had enough to finish it off."

The third podium place went to Tim Wellens (UAE Team Emirates). After helping Pogacar in the first half of the race, the Belgian spent the second hiding among the chasers before riding away from them on the approach to the city.
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