Why Pogačar Raced Liège-Bastogne-Liège with a Black Armband

Tadej Pogačar wore a black armband and pointed to the sky after winning Liège-Bastogne-Liège on Sunday to dedicate his victory to former teammate Cristian Muñoz, who died last week aged 30.

Ardennes monument started Sunday with a minute of silence as riders paid tribute to Muñoz, whose shocking death on Friday was caused by a fatal infection after a racing crash in France earlier this month.

Pogačar later pointed to the heavens to dedicate his fourth Liège victory to Muñoz.

It was a similar gesture from the world No. 1 who has dedicated several victories to the mother of his fiancée Urška Zigart, who passed away in 2024.

“Big thanks to the team today, rollercoaster day, physical and emotional. Crazy proud for today,” Pogačar wrote on social media. “Hat off to [Paul Seixas] showed true warrior spirit, same to you [Remco Evenepoel] you scared us for a moment. [Cristian Muñoz] you will be forever with us.”

Muñoz rode with Pogačar at UAE Emirates-XRG between 2019 and 2021 after emerging as a prospect with a stage win at the U23 Giro d’Italia. He later returned to Colombia to continue his career.

The 30-year-old was treated by doctors in France with stitches and antibiotics for a knee injury sustained at the Tour du Jura Cycliste on April 18. He later traveled to Spain for the Vuelta a Asturias last week, but his condition worsened.

Despite emergency treatment at a Spanish hospital, Muñoz died April 24, team officials said last week.

His NU Colombia team pulled out of the Vuelta a Asturias ahead of the second stage Friday, later won by Nairo Quintana, who dedicated his first pro win since 2022 to Muñoz.