Like Tadej, no one ever. Piazza del Campo applauds Tadej Pogačar, winner of La Strade Bianche for the fourth time in his career. The champion of UAE Team Emirates, wrapped in the world champion's jersey, launched himself into solo command when there were 77 kilometers remaining to the finish line and concluded his ride with 1'00" advantage over an extraordinary Paul Seixas and an equally strong Isaac Del Toro, third at 1'10".

Immediately after crossing the finish line, Pogačar stopped, dismounted, raised his arms to the sky and greeted the crowd with a bow.

THE RACE. After about thirty kilometers of racing, the first real action of the day was reported. Nine men proposed it: Tibor Del Grosso (Alpecin-Premier Tech), Martin Marcellusi (Bardiani CSF 7 Saber), Jack Haig (INEOS Grenadiers), Patrick Konrad (Lidl - Trek), Samuele Zoccarato (MBH Bank CSB Telecom Fort), Adrien Boichis (Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe), Anders Foldager (Team Jayco AlUla), Tim Rex (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) and Davide Toneatti (XDS Astana Team).

The gap between the breakaway riders and the main group was variable for many kilometers, but the great work of UAE Team Emirates brought the gap to just 20" at the exit from the Martino in Grania section. At the entrance to Monte Sante Marie the group caught up with the breakaway riders and then a "new race" began: the UAE Team Emirates riders increased the pace further and only a handful of riders remained at the front.

With a further acceleration, the world champion further reduced the group of rivals with Paul Seixas (Decathlon CMA CGM Team) attempting to follow him without success.

Behind the Slovenian, a group then formed that grew over the kilometers until it was composed of Christen (UAE Team Emirates - XRG), del Toro (UAE Team Emirates - XRG), Bilbao (Bahrain - Victorious), Seixas (Decathlon CMA CGM Team), Labrosse (Decathlon CMA CGM Team), Lapeira (Decathlon CMA CGM), Healy (EF Education - EasyPost), Valgren (EF Education - EasyPost), Braz Afonso (Groupama - FDJ United), Grégoire (Groupama - FDJ United), Simmons (Lidl - Trek), Pidcock (Pinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team), Vermeersch (Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe), Jorgenson (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) and van Aert (Team Visma | Lease a Bike).

There were several attacks launched by Pidcock, Seixas and Lapeira in an attempt to chase down Pogačar, the group of pursuers broke apart and, when sixteen kilometers remained, Paul Seixas (Decathlon CMA CGM Team) attacked again and was immediately caught by Isaac Del Toro who obviously covered the escape of his captain launched toward the finish line.

In the final, the young Frenchman accelerated once more, managing to break free from the Mexican's marking who anticipated him by a few seconds at the finish line.

For Pogačar, today's victory is the one hundred and ninth of his career, which comes at the end of the first race of the season. The next appointment is set with the Milano - Sanremo on Saturday the 21st: and Pogi has already promised to do his best.

FINISHING ORDER

1 Pogačar Tadej UAE Team Emirates - XRG 04:45:15

2 Seixas Paul Decathlon CMA CGM Team 01:00

3 del Toro Isaac UAE Team Emirates - XRG 01:09

4 Grégoire Romain Groupama - FDJ United 02:04

5 Vermeersch Gianni Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe ,,

6 Christen Jan UAE Team Emirates - XRG 02:07

7 Pidcock Thomas Pinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team 02:14

8 Jorgenson Matteo Team Visma | Lease a Bike 02:20

9 Kron Andreas Uno-X Mobility 03:46

10 van Aert Wout Team Visma | Lease a Bike ,,

to be updated