Three years ago on March 21st, the mother of Urska Zigart, a professional cyclist and Tadej Pogacar's partner, passed away prematurely, and since then the Liege-Bastogne-Liege has been the perfect occasion for the Slovenian couple to remember her. This morning, Tadej started with number 1 on his jersey, where he had written: For you D. For you Darja accompanied by a small heart. A small gesture that, if possible, pushed him even stronger towards the finish line in Liege, which he crossed first for the third time in his career.

"The race last year was held on April 21st, the day my mother left us. Even if he hadn't won, as he had already done in 2024, she would be proud of both of us today. My mother was my rock, my biggest supporter. She was a strong and independent woman. She was the CEO of a tech company in Slovenia. She was almost the only woman in a world of men. She was very proud of what she had achieved. She taught me to be strong and that everything is possible in life," comments Urska, who, after completing the classics, can now take a short break with her Tadej, with whom she has been living in Monaco for over 5 years.

In an interview with Het Laatste Nieuws at the beginning of the season and republished on her team's website AG Insurance Soudal, Urska had said: "Without Tadej, I would not have been able to handle my mother's death, who fought for almost two years. First against breast cancer, then against esophageal cancer. It was a long roller coaster. Tadej was always present. He also loved my mother. Once I was angry with him, and I remember my mother scolding me: 'Urska, don't you see how that boy looks at you? Don't you see how much he loves you? He is the best thing that could have happened to you'. I had to make peace with him as soon as possible. She really loved Tadej."

A love reciprocated and that resists time and absence, as confirmed by the finger pointed to the sky at the finish line of the Doyenne by the cannibal of modern cycling.