The race, covering 209.1 km over 17 laps, initially saw a small breakaway group held in check for the first circuits. UAE Team Emirates placed Igor Arrieta on the front of the bunch for the early stages to better manage the day.
As the gap gradually closed, the favorites of the day began launching attacks with 50 km to go. It was a team effort for the Emirati squad, with Fisher-Black, Ayuso, and finally Majka setting the pace, leading to Pogačar’s decisive attack with 23 km remaining.
The Slovenian rider finished solo, repeating his success on Canadian soil after his 2022 victory, enjoying applause and greetings in the final 500 meters.
Pogačar said, “The team did a super job. We did it exactly how we wanted to. It was really great racing, and thank you to all my teammates because, without them, this plan would not go to perfection. Luckily, I also had good legs to pull it off at the end. We made it hard from early on, also to keep the break in check, and really the hard course suited me well. It was a hot day out there with lots of climbing but I’m so happy to take victory again here in Montreal.“