Never listen to a favourite before a big race day – or rather, believe the opposite of what they say. In the pre-race press conference, Pogačar told gathered media that it was a shame Mont Kigali came so early in the race, “It’s still 104 kilometres from the finish. An attack is always possible there if you’ve got the legs, but it could have been much more exciting later in the race." Adding, with a twinkle in his eye, "Still, some riders might see it as close enough.”
Fast forward to race day, around lunchtime in Rwanda, and as a reduced peloton ground away at the slopes of the 5.8-kilometre mountain, Pogačar made his move. He accelerated off the front of the bunch, swiftly gobbled up the last survivor from the break, and ultimately went clear with only Juan Ayuso for company, Isaac Del Toro joining his trade teammates on the descent.
Del Toro and Pogačar then dispatched Ayuso on the brutal Mur de Kigali a couple of kilometres later. With the race shattered in their wake, Pogačar and Del Toro stayed together until 66 km to go, when the young Mexican finally had to let go, and the reigning champion raced on to an extraordinary title defence.
After a series of mechanical issues, Remco Evenepoel had a bit of a frustrating day, but having been distanced by Pogačar's acceleration on the main climb of the day, he was already on the back foot, and given all that he faced, second place was a great result. Ben Healy then won the duel for third with Mattias Skjelmose settling for fourth.
[race_result id=26 stage_id=0 count=10 gc=0 year=2025]
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