The highly anticipated duel between the World champion, Remco Evenepoel of Belgium and Slovenia's Tadej Pogačar, winner of the Amstel Gold and La Fleche, failed to materialise after Pogačar suffered a serious crash early in the race, a broken wrist forcing his abandonment. Pogačar had surgery later that day on the fracture.[1]
In Pogačar's absence, Evenepoel immediately became the overwhelming favourite with young Briton and 2023 Strade Bianche winner Tom Pidcock and on-form Irish rider Ben Healy his most likely rivals.[1]
On Côte de La Redoute, Evenepoel attacked in the saddle, moving away from the peloton and only Pidcock was able to follow him. A few kilometres later, Evenepoel pushed on the accelerator again and left Pidcock trailing, soloing 30 kilometres to retain the title. Pidcock refueled, readjusted and linked up with Healy and Santiago Buitrago, holding off the rest of the peloton for the remainder of the race, Pidcock and Buitrago holding off Healy to complete the podium.[1]
