Tadej Pogacar reclaims Fleche Wallonne title in relentless Ardennes rain

Tadej Pogacar powers through steep climbs and cold rain to reclaim Fleche Wallonne title ahead of Liege-Bastogne-Liege.

Race winner Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia and UAE Team Emirates attacks during the 89th edition of La Fleche Wallonne, a 205.1 km one-day race from Ciney to Huy, on April 23, 2025, in Huy, Belgium. Photo by Garnier Etienne/Getty Images

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

Tadej Pogacar wins Fleche Wallonne 2025 after an intense battle through wet, hilly terrain, reclaiming the classic title with a blistering final attack up the infamous Mur de Huy. The Slovenian cyclist, who is a three-time Tour de France champion, surged away from his rivals in the last kilometer of the 205km race to cross the finish line first, conquering both the harsh conditions and a talented peloton.

The UAE Team Emirates leader, muddy and visibly exhausted, could hardly crack a smile after his latest triumph. But beneath the grime was a sense of satisfaction—this win marked a return to the top for Pogacar following recent runner-up finishes at Paris-Roubaix and the Amstel Gold Race.

Vauquelin and Pidcock round out the podium

French rider Kevin Vauquelin, only 23 years old, once again demonstrated his potential with another second-place finish in Fleche Wallonne, repeating his result from the previous edition. Meanwhile, Tom Pidcock, now racing for Q36.5 after leaving Ineos in the off-season, impressed with a third-place finish, a strong showing for his new team in a high-caliber field.

Behind them, recent Brabantse Pijl winner Remco Evenepoel faded in the closing meters to ninth place, unable to match Pogacar’s decisive burst of speed on the Mur de Huy. Belgian fans had high hopes for Evenepoel, who was returning from injury and looked strong until the final climb.

Classic conditions and relentless climbs

The Fleche Wallonne 2025 unfolded under persistent rain, with temperatures hovering just above freezing—far from ideal for the 11 demanding climbs on the route. But the Ardennes weather only added to the mythic status of the race, often seen as more than a warm-up for Sunday’s Liege-Bastogne-Liege.

Covering 205km of narrow, undulating roads, the race tested the field's endurance and tactical precision. Riders struggled to stay upright on slick corners, and several contenders, including Mattias Skjelmose of Lidl-Trek, slid out of contention with around 40km remaining.

Skjelmose’s crash was a major blow for his team, especially as teammate Thibau Nys had also been seen as a possible challenger to Pogacar on the steep final climb. Without support, Nys settled for eighth.

The Mur de Huy: cycling’s most feared final climb

The race came to its dramatic conclusion on the Mur de Huy, a brutally steep 1.3km wall with an average gradient of 9.6% and sections topping out at a staggering 19%. It’s here that Pogacar made his decisive move.

“When I saw Ben Healy coming up next to me, I thought, ‘Okay, he looks fast,’” Pogacar recalled at the finish. “So I went, and when I looked back, no one was there. But that’s the hardest kilometre in cycling, no doubt.”

Healy, who eventually placed fifth, had mounted a bold challenge but couldn’t respond when Pogacar accelerated with 300 meters to go. From that moment, the Slovenian was untouchable.

A confident tune-up before Liege-Bastogne-Liege

Pogacar’s victory at Fleche Wallonne 2025 adds another trophy to his already impressive spring campaign. He last won at the Tour of Flanders on April 6 and has shown remarkable consistency across various terrain types. Now, with his legs sharpened and his team performing well, all eyes turn to Sunday’s Liege-Bastogne-Liege—one of cycling’s five Monuments.

“The weather wasn’t ideal, but the win makes it all worth it,” Pogacar said. “We worked really well as a team today, and I’m confident we’ll have the same approach for Sunday.”

Last year, Pogacar triumphed at Liege in the absence of Evenepoel, who was sidelined by injury. This year, both men are expected to compete in full force, setting up a potential showdown in the 252km Ardennes Monument.

Rain and attrition shape the race narrative

What made this year’s Fleche Wallonne unique wasn’t just Pogacar’s dominance—it was the sheer attrition caused by the weather and terrain. Several top contenders abandoned due to crashes or exhaustion, and a stubborn breakaway group only relinquished their hopes on the final ascent.

Unlike flatter races where long-range attacks can pay off, Fleche Wallonne rarely sees glory from early breakaways. Still, the resilience of the escapees underscored just how grueling the conditions were. The peloton showed little urgency until the last 10 kilometers, when the favorites began positioning themselves for the Mur de Huy.

A symbolic win in tough conditions

For Pogacar, this win does more than boost his palmarès. It sends a message: he remains the man to beat in one-day classics and multi-stage races alike. His ability to time attacks with surgical precision, even under miserable weather, highlights the kind of form that will make him a favorite not just in Liege but well into the summer, including the Tour de France.

The Slovenian’s resilience after tough races at Paris-Roubaix and Amstel Gold—where he finished second both times—speaks volumes about his consistency. And with UAE Team Emirates in top form, Pogacar is well-positioned to dominate the Ardennes week.

As the peloton regroups for Sunday’s longer and arguably more prestigious Liege-Bastogne-Liege, Pogacar’s latest win will hang heavily over the ambitions of his rivals. If this week’s race proved anything, it’s that Tadej Pogacar wins Fleche Wallonne 2025 not only with his legs but with tactical brilliance and relentless willpower.