After 255 kilometres, the Liège-Bastogne-Liège cycling monument produced a superior winner: Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) crossed the finish line with a clear lead over his pursuers to win the final stage of the Ardennes Classics series. Second place was secured by the strong Romain Bardet (Team dsm-firmenich PostNL), who attacked from the chasing group and was able to maintain his lead over Ben Healy (EF Education EasyPost) and many other riders. There was then a bunch sprint for third place out of a large chasing group, which Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) won. The Dutchman had no chance in the battle for victory, Tadej Pogacar's performance was too dominant.
Pogacar gives the competition on the Redoute no chance
On the Cote de La Redoute climb, Tadej Pogacar attacked 35 kilometres before the finish. At first it looked as if the Slovenian would not be able to break away for good. However, Richard Carapaz (EF Education EasyPost) countered the attack for the time being and latched onto Pogacar's rear wheel. Shortly before the end of the redoubt, Carapaz had to let go and Pogacar was able to break away as a soloist. The rider from UAE Team Emirates then quickly extended his lead to one minute, although a large chasing group formed behind him. Pogacar then left nothing to chance, once again putting in a strong performance and finishing a minute and a half ahead of Romain Bardet. The Frenchman finished a strong second, with third place going to Mathieu van der Poel. After his victory at Strade Bianche, this is Pogacar's next outstanding performance in a classic.
The weather conditions were miserable today. Nevertheless, we set the pace throughout the day. It was very emotional for me today because the last two events were difficult for me. I am very happy that I was able to win the race. Thanks to the whole team who worked for me today. That was outstanding teamwork. - Tadej Pogacar in the winner interview
Liège-Bastogne-Liège 2024: Results - the top 10
- Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) 6:13:48
- Romain Bardet (Team dsm-firmenich PostNL) +1:39
- Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) +2:02
- Maxim Van Gils (Lotto-Dstny) +2:02
- Aurelien Paret-Peintre (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale) +2:02
- Mauri Vansevenant (Soudal - Quick Step) +2:02
- Valentin Madouas (Groupama-FDJ) +2:02
- Alexey Lutsenko (Astana Qazaqstan Team) +2:02
- Pello Bilbao (Bahrain-Victorious) +2:02
- Thomas Pidcock (Ineos Grenadiers) +2:02
How Liège-Bastogne-Liège 2024 went
A leading group formed shortly after the start of the race. First four riders broke away, then five more joined them: Gil Gelders (Soudal - Quick Step), Remy Rochas (Groupama-FDJ), Christian Scaroni (Astana Qazaqstan Team), Lilian Calmejane (Intermarche-Wanty) and Ivan Romeo (Movistar) formed the breakaway group at Liège-Bastogne-Liège 2024 with four other riders.
The gap between the peloton and the escapees grew quickly and was almost five minutes at most. The UAE Team Emirates, who were the top favourites for the day's victory with Tadej Pogacar, were almost exclusively responsible for the chase in the peloton.
With unpleasant temperatures just above freezing and a headwind on the route from Bastogne back to Liège, the riders had to contend with difficult conditions. However, there were hardly any challenges due to hypothermia.
Peloton tears in two
98 kilometres before the finish, there was a crash in the peloton, in which numerous riders were held up - including the co-favourites Mathieu van der Poel and Tom Pidcock (Ineos Grenadiers). While the front part of the peloton around Pogacar caught up with the breakaway ten kilometres later, the gap to the group around van der Poel was already over a minute. Meanwhile, with 80 kilometres to go, Pidcock decided to take a risk and start from the chasing peloton. Mathieu van der Poel, on the other hand, stayed in the peloton and let the competition go for the time being.
Chasers catch up
With a show of strength, Pidcock and his small chasing group caught up with the peloton, but a short time later the large group around van der Poel also rejoined the leading group, also thanks to the help of Bahrain-Victorious. With 70 kilometres to go, the peloton was complete again.
Pogacar's attack
Pogacar started on the Cote de La Redoute, but was initially unable to open up a clear gap. Above all, Richard Carapaz (EF Education EasyPost) stuck to the rear wheel of the top favourite. Pogacar kept up the pace on the climb, however, so that Carapaz lost the gap towards the end of the climb.
Liège-Bastogne-Liège 2024: Bardet finishes a strong second
Pogacar then extended his lead, while behind him a chasing group of around twenty riders formed around Mattias Skjelmose (Lidl-Trek), Ben Healy (EF Education EasyPost) and Richard Carapaz. Healy in particular was active in the pursuit of the race leader and kept pushing. He split off together with Romain Bardet, Romain Gregoire (Groupama-FDJ) and Benoit Cosnefroy (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale), who now formed the chasing group behind Pogacar. With 14 kilometres to go, it was Bardet who opened up a gap with an attack and was subsequently able to defend it.
Behind him, a larger field rolled together once again, including van der Poel and Pidcock. In the end, Bardet safely secured second place, while van der Poel won the bunch sprint and finished third.
