Greig Leach

Perhaps this title needs a little explaining. In the world of professional cycling, the Triple Crown is winning the Giro d'Italia, the Tour de France, and the World Championship in the same season. Until today, only two men have managed the feat. The first was Eddy Merckx of Belgium who did it 50 years ago this week, and the second was Stephen Roche of Ireland who equaled Merckx thirteen years later. But now, a third name can be added to that list, Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia. In so doing he also broke his own record for longest breakaway win in a race. This year he went from eighty kilometers out to win Strade-Bianche. Today, he jumped free of the peloton with 100.7 kilometers to race. I don't think he was on his own until about 50 kilometers to go, but the records will say 100 K. He had plenty of time to think up a victory salute, but I think he might have been a bit emotional as he came to the finishing line alone, savoring the applause of the fans crowding the barriers and the roadway prior to the flame rouge. Behind him Ben O'Connor (Ireland) came alone for the silver medal, and the defending champion, Mathieu Van Der Poel (Netherlands) outsprinted the chasing six or seven to take the bronze.