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Pogacar wins Tour of Catalonia after fourth stage victory

cycling24 March 2024 13:15| © AFP
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Tadej Pogacar © Getty Images

Tadej Pogacar sprinted to an impressive fourth stage victory of the week as he sealed his Tour of Catalonia triumph on Sunday.

The Slovenian two-time Tour de France champion edged a chaotic sprint to take stage seven, adding to his stage two, three and six triumphs, blowing away his general classification competition.

Pogacar emerged ahead of French duo Dorian Godon and Guillaume Martin, second and third respectively, in a frenzied finish to the 143.5 kilometre stage, which started and finished in Barcelona.

"I'm so happy to take the win -- it wasn't the original plan," said Pogacar.

Pogacar's UAE team-mate Joao Almeida had a move shut down in the final kilometres but Pogacar snatched victory.

"Joao Almeida set a good pace on the climb and we were a small group in the front," added Pogacar.

"He made a good attack on the last small climb and almost came to the finish. I wish he could arrive, but I'm happy to take this win, too."

The UAE Team Emirates rider won the race by three minutes 41 seconds from Spaniard Mikel Landa, with Egan Bernal third, a full five minutes and three seconds behind Pogacar.

The 25-year-old carved out a big lead on the second stage and nobody threatened to depose him for the rest of the week.

Pogacar is aiming for an ambitious Giro-Tour double in 2024, hoping to become the first man to win both since Marco Pantani in 1998.

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