It's doubtful that Tadej Pogachar needs much help winning bike races these days, but he knows the value of good advice, and two weeks ago, after winning the Tour de Flanders, he gave us some advice for the Amstel Gold Race.

Mathieu Van Der Pol avoided a home classic after winning Milan-San Remo and Paris-Roubaix. Pogachar, who was in a solo position with 29km to go, took full advantage of the opportunity to take another convincing victory.

"Mathieu Van Der Pol told me I should go to Küttenberg. It's the hardest climb and it suits me best," Pogachar said after his solo finish in Berg en Terblij. He sent me a message three days ago. I appreciate the advice."

The win was Pogachar's 11th of the season, and he has been on a roll since his solo victory on gravel at the Classica Haen Paraiso Interior in February. Since then, the UAE Team Emirates rider has taken the overall title at Ruta del Sol and Paris-Nice, completing a hat-trick of stage wins in each race.

"I can say I am living the dream this season," Pogachar said.

His only losses this season have been Milan-San Remo (4th) and the E3 Saxo Classic (3rd), but they are very minor compared to the blows he dealt to Tour de France rival Jonas Vingegaard two weeks ago in Ronde and Paris-Nice.

Pogachar's early season has two races left, the Fleche Wallonne and the Liège-Bastogne-Liège. His best result in Mules de Huy is an underwhelming 9th place in 2020.

"It's a difficult race for me. But I'm in good shape now and with a good team, I'm sure I'll do well in Flèche," Pogachar said, though he tempered his hopes of winning the Ardennes Classique. Wednesday and Sunday are still far away."

In the Amstel Gold Race, Pogachar was sharp enough to spot danger when the favorites began to form with 90 km to go.

"Certainly, going so fast in a big group was not the plan. 'It was a totally different race, but it felt really good. The start was pretty icy and the weather was bad.

Pogachar was lucky and was able to make a quick bike change before Kruisberg with 40km to go. Any other rider would have lost contact with the lead group, but the Slovenian caught up with the group on the climb and began his onslaught on the Eiserbosweg shortly after.

Only Ben Healy (EF Education Easypost) and Tom Pidcock (Ineos) were able to follow him, but he pulled away from them on Küttenberg with Van der Pol's approval.

"I suffered a small puncture, but luckily the tire held up. But we changed bikes and managed to come back and have a good race."

"I was able to get back on the bike and get a good race. In the end, everything was perfect."