Tadej Pogačar was once again on another planet and in a race of his own at Strade Bianche but for a moment, at least a brief moment, he perhaps looked into the future and saw a new rival and was concerned that Paul Seixas could respond to his attack.
Pogačar won a fourth Strade Bianche, again with a near 80km solo attack, and was the first rider to win three years in row. Pogačar was Pogesque and Merckxian yet again but had to share the limelight with Seixas, who seems his heir apparent.
"I was impressed with Paul. He did a super good ride," Pogačar admitted in his post-race press conference.
Few riders have ever been able to respond to Pogačar's trademark searing surges. Yet Seixas was able to stay in contact and even close the gap, at least for a few moments, on the decisive Monte Sante Marie sector.
Pogačar had to pace his effort with Seixas in pursuit and go deeper to ensure the upstart young French teenager did not get basic on his wheel and spark a tactical dilemma.
After Seixas and Isaac del Toro eased and were caught by the Tom Pidcock and Matteo Jorgenson chase group, Pogačar soon opened a comfortable margin. That allowed him to manage his effort and even to let his mind wander and enjoy the moment.
"When I was attacking, I was thinking that the new kid Seixas is really good, and that I need to be better to make the gap grow as quick as possible," Pogačar said, revealing his thoughts.
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