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Tadej Pogačar has claimed the general win within the first-ever version of the brand new Madrid criterium, heading off native stars Juan Ayuso and Spanish Champion Carlos Rodriguez (Ineos Grenadiers) on town centre circuit.
Held in moist climate within the Spanish capital this weekend, Pogačar’s UAE Group Emirates teammate Juan Ayuso scored the victory in a 30-lap elimination race, with Jonathan Lastra (Caja Rural) in second and the Slovenian in third.
However Pogačar struck again within the 35-lap highway race, attacking with two laps to go on the Paseo de la Castellana to the delight of a crowd estimated at roughly 1,000, for a solo victory. His third and first locations allowed him to say the general title.
Earlier than the criterium, there was a minute’s silence held in honour of Italian racer Davide Rebellin, who died when he was struck by a car whereas coaching earlier this week.
Talking the earlier night to reporters, Pogačar confirmed that he could be making the Tour de France and the World Championships his primary targets for 2023.
He additionally stated {that a} choice on whether or not he would return to the Vuelta a España, the place he took third in 2019 in his first and solely participation so far, could be taken within the crew’s upcoming coaching camp.
Held for the primary time this yr, the Madrid Criterium has been hailed as the primary ever to be held on the streets of the Spanish capital, and it’s at present one in all only a handful of such low season occasions nonetheless at present celebrated in Spain.
