Tadej Pogacar only third to complete men's cycling's triple crown

The 26-year-old was neck-and-neck with Remco Evenepoel and reigning world champion Mathieu van der Poel nearly two-thirds through the 170-mile race. That was until the final 62-mile stretch, when he broke away from his rivals and quickly left them behind in the peloton.

Upon taking the lead, Pogacar rode solo to the finish line, with no rider in sight for at least the final 31-mile stretch — the rest of the pack was forced to compete for minor medals as Pogacar coasted to win. 

Pogacar completed the 170-mile race in six hours, 27 minutes and 30 seconds — more than 34 seconds clear of second-placed Ben O'Connor. Van der Poel finished 58 seconds behind to claim bronze.

Cycling's new GOAT?

Amazingly, Pogacar's 31-mile solo ride on Sunday wasn't even the greatest performance of his career. Earlier in the year, he led for a stunning 50.3 miles en route to victory at Strade Bianche. 

Pogacar's incredible feats have led many to label him the new GOAT of cycling. Five-time Tour de France champion Merckx — regarded by many as the greatest ever — is among those. Soon after Pogacar's win on Sunday, Merckx gave his younger peer his flowers. 

"It's obvious that he is now above me," Merckx told L'Equipe of Pogacar. "Deep down, I already thought as much when I saw what he did on the last Tour de France, but tonight there's no more doubt about it. He's out of the ordinary."