World champion Tadej Pogacar battled cold and rain-sodden conditions to claim a second Fleche Wallonne title in Belgium.

The Slovenian’s face and jersey were splattered with mud as he crossed the line 10 seconds clear of France’s Kevin Vauquelin, who finished runner-up for the second successive year.

Britain’s Tom Pidcock, competing in the event for a fifth time, secured third place – a career-best finish in the race.

Puck Pieterse of the Netherlands claimed victory on her debut in the women’s event.

“It’s a beautiful place, but as a cyclist you don’t like it so much, such a tough finish,” said Pogacar.

“It’s a really great feeling, the weather wasn’t so good but winning again is all that counts

Pogacar went into the race having finished second in his previous two events, behind Mathieu van der Poel at the Paris-Roubaix and Mattias Skjelmose at the Amstel Gold Race.

The three-time Tour de France winner launched an attack 400m from the finish on the steep Mur de Huy, one of 11 climbs on the 205km course, as his rival Remco Evenepoel began to fade.

Evenepoel, competing in just his second race since recovering from serious injury, was ninth across the line.

Denmark’s Skjelmose was one of several riders who slid out of the race on a tight corner made hazardous by the wet conditions with around 40km to go.

Most of the competitors will remain in the Ardennes for the 252km Liege-Bastogne-Liege ‘Monument’ on Sunday.

In the women’s event, a late attack from Pieterse with 125 metres remaining saw the Fenix-Deceuninck rider reel in compatriot Demi Vollering and win by two seconds.

Italy’s Elisa Longo Borghini of UAE Team ADQ crossed the line third.