The Slovenian pulled out of the Monument in 2022 after his fiancée’s mother died, before he fractured his wrist in a nasty crash a year later.
He put in a devastating display on Sunday as he attacked on the imposing La Redoute with 35km remaining, with only Richard Carapaz (EF Education First) able to cope with the change in tempo – and even then, only briefly.
Pogacar quickly built a lead of well over a minute as he evoked memories of his victory at Strade Bianche in March, when he dropped a staggering 82km solo exhibition.
The 25-year-old cruised into the finish in Liege to wrap up a seventh win in just 10 days of racing in 2024, dedicating the victory to the late mother of his fiancée, fellow pro cyclist Urska Zigart.
“All day it was quite emotional for me riding on the bike, thinking of Urska’s mother from two years ago when we had to go home, and last year when I broke my hand,” said Pogacar.
“The last two years were really difficult and I was riding for Urska’s mother today. I’m really happy that I can finally win in this race again, this beautiful race.
“Thanks to all the team that worked for me today, it was amazing teamwork and I couldn’t have done it without them. I’m full of emotion.”
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Highlights: Pogacar storms to win, Van der Poel fights back for third
Pogacar is focused on a Giro d’Italia-Tour de France double in 2024 and said his priority was staying safe after last year’s crash.
“Today, I had all day in my mind [telling myself] to be careful. Last year I had all day in mind [trying] to save as much energy as possible, but today I was more on the safe side,” he said.
“The team did a super job. We rode hard on the climbs, safe on the downhills and La Redoute we did exactly what we said. From then on, it was suffering to the finish.”
Pogacar will next pin on a number at the Giro, which starts in Piedmont on May 4.
Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step), who is also recovering from a broken collarbone sustained in that crash, and Primoz Roglic (Bora-hansgrohe) are expected to provide further competition to Pogacar at the Tour in July.
