Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates – XRG) secured his third victory at the 2025 Strade Bianche, overcoming a mid-race crash to dominate the Tuscan spring classic. Breakaway companion Tom Pidcock (Q36.5) finished second at 1:24″, followed by Pogačar’s teammate Tim Wellens, who rounded out the podium in third.
Pogačar’s race almost ended 50 kilometers from the finish when he crashed on a tight curve, unhurt, but sustaining a visible amount of road rash on his shoulder and leg. Luckily, he was able to remount quickly and rejoin Pidcock and the two worked together for the next 30 kkilometers.
The decisive moment occurred 18 kilometers from the finish when Pogačar launched a powerful attack on the Colle Pinzuto sector, creating a gap that Pidcock couldn’t bridge. Pogačar powered ahead and maintained his lead, crossing the finish line in 5 hours, 13 minutes, and 58 seconds, averaging a speed of 40.704 km/h. Pidcock finished 1 minute and 24 seconds behind, with Wellens taking third place, 2 minutes and 12 seconds adrift.
Pogačar was a bit surprised by his crash and explained how it happened.
“Well, I was going too fast. I thought it was possible. I know these roads and have cycled on some of them about thirty times, but sometimes you miscalculate. At the beginning I didn’t know if I was okay, because a fall always has a lot of impact. Fortunately I was still good enough.”
Pidcock had mixed feelings about his second place.
“I wanted to win and I was close. Tadej’s crash increased my chances, but he was still too strong. I am happy, but at the same time disappointed. No one could have followed him this season.”
Asked about why he waited for Pogačar, Pidcock explained it was just good sportsmanship.
“You respect your colleagues, you don’t take advantage of a mistake [crash] like that and it was still far.”
Pogačar’s performance at Strade Bianche serves as a strong indicator of his form ahead of upcoming races, including the prestigious Milan-San Remo, scheduled for later this month. However, the rumors of his possible participation in Paris-Roubaix may remain rumors after his crash at Strade Bianche. According to his team manager, Mauro Gianetti, the dangers are far too great.
“Tadej wants to try Roubaix, but I keep telling him to wait before he does it. Not to take risks because he could really hurt himself there.”
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