A momentous day, a historic victory and a super fine: Tadej Pogacar truly left nothing out at Liège-Bastogne-Liège. In the official statement issued by the jury after the podium ceremony, Pogacar was fined 5,000 Swiss francs (a decidedly high amount when compared to the traditional fines issued after the race) due to the «improper placement of advertising material on the rainbow jersey during the podium ceremony».
The jury did not go into detail, likely because the sponsor logos came too close to the rainbow band, but a question lingers: did Pogacar take the podium wearing the same outfit he wore at Strade Bianche, at Sanremo, at Flanders and at Roubaix (the only difference being that at Roubaix he didn't wear the white cycling cap but the black skullcap, just as the shorts were black in all five cases). Were the judges blind at those races? Or did a hawk's eye suddenly take flight from Roche aux Faucons this time, catching the error on the wing?
Pogacar won't be ruined by a 5,000 franc fine, but it would be curious to know the exact reason for the penalty.