Tadej Pogacar completed his mastery of this year’s Volta a Catalunya, sprinting to a fourth stage win in the seven-stage race.
The Slovenian, already in total command of the Volta going into the final stage around Barcelona, left his rivals in a reduced bunch trailing once again, giving him overall victory ahead of Mikel Landa (Soudal Quick-Step) by three minutes and 41 seconds. Egan Bernal (Ineos Grenadiers), five minutes and three seconds down, finished third.
Dorian Godon of France came closest on the line to denying the UAE Team Emirates rider, but he had to settle for second with compatriot Guillaume Martin third. Pogacar’s dominance was such that, along with topping the general classification, he also secured the points and mountains jerseys too.
“João Almeida set a good pace on the climb and we were a small group in the front,” said Pogacar afterwards. “He made a good attack on the last small climb and almost came to the finish. I wish he could arrive but I’m happy to take this win, too.”
📹Torna a viure l'últim quilòmetre de la quarta victòria de @TamauPogi a la #VoltaCatalunya103!
— Volta a Catalunya (@VoltaCatalunya) March 24, 2024
🔥¡Vuelve a disfrutar el último km de la victoria de Pogačar @TeamEmiratesUAE en Barcelona!
🤩Relive the last km of Tadej Pogačar's 4th victory at @BCN_esports!#VoltaCatalunya103 pic.twitter.com/NMfxENoQLf
Meanwhile, Mads Pedersen got the better of Mathieu van der Poel in a punishing final sprint to win Gent-Wevelgem in Belgium. The pair headed towards the finish together, with the Dane leading out and holding off Van der Poel’s surge in thrilling fashion.
