An exceptional day for Tadej and the Slovenian national team! The elite road race at the World Championships in Rwanda unfolded very similarly to last year’s in Zürich. Tadej attacked far from the finish, rode solo at the front for a long time, and won in great style. He even surpassed himself, as last year in Switzerland he first attacked 101 kilometers from the end of the race and soloed the last 51 kilometers, while this time he launched his first attack 105 kilometers from the finish and rode alone for as many as 67 kilometers.
The key moment of the 267,5-kilometer race, in which the entire Slovenian national team under the leadership of selector Uroš Murn excelled, came on the climb up Mount Kigali. Up to then, Domen Novak, Primož Roglič, Matej Mohorič, Matevž Govekar, Luka Mezgec, Gal Glivar, Jaka Primožič, and Matic Žumer had controlled the action in the peloton, then Tadej upped the pace. Only Juan Ayuso followed him, and soon after Isaac del Toro joined them. He was the only one still able to follow Tadej on the next climb of the Mur de Kigali. But even his Mexican teammate from UAE Team Emirates – XRG ran out of strength a good four laps before the finish in Kigali.
Tadej continued alone, while a group of five riders set off in pursuit, in which Remco Evenepoel did the most work and rode himself to the silver medal. The bronze went to the Irishman Ben Healy, and the gold was more than deservedly won by Tadej, who rode to the finish with a 1:28 advantage over the Belgian chaser.
»I think the course was designed for an attack from far out. I hoped a small group would form, as it did with Ayuso and del Toro. The combination was perfect; it would have been a dream if we could ride together as a trio for as long as possible. Juan then had issues early on the cobbles of the Mur de Kigali, and then Isaac also had stomach problems. Early on I was left alone, and just like last year, all that remained was to fight with myself. I am extremely happy that I made it,« said Tadej at the finish of the race, which only 30 riders completed.
Last year his rivals were closer, but even this time he wasn’t sure for a long time whether the victory would be his after such a long attack. »There were some doubts; from lap to lap the climbs were getting tougher, the descents weren’t the fastest either, there was a lot of pedaling to do. Energy reserves were dwindling and the last few laps were very tough. At times doubts surround you, but you have to push through and hope for the best. It was an incredible experience. Let’s say it was a successful week,« added Tadej, for whom this was the 17. win of the season and the 105. of his career.
As the first cyclist in history, he won the yellow jersey at the Tour and the rainbow jersey at the World Championships two years in a row. Next Sunday in France he will try to win the European champion’s jersey as well.