Tadej Pogacar showcased his exceptional cycling prowess by clinching his fourth consecutive victory at Il Lombardia, marking his 25th win of the 2024 season. The Slovenian cyclist launched a decisive breakaway with just over 48 kilometers remaining, finishing an impressive 3 minutes and 16 seconds ahead of runner-up Remco Evenepoel.
Giulio Ciccone secured a podium spot after a strong surge in the final 5 kilometers, distancing himself from the chasing pack. However, the spotlight remained firmly on Pogacar. The 26-year-old, who has already triumphed in two of this year’s three Grand Tours and claimed the world championship title, executed a powerful attack on the last significant climb, leaving his competitors in his wake. Evenepoel and the other challengers were unable to catch sight of Pogacar until he crossed the finish line in Como, achieving the largest margin of victory at Il Lombardia since Eddy Merckx in 1971.
“Every victory is special, and today is no different,” Pogacar remarked after his triumphant finish. “The team worked tirelessly throughout the year for all our victories, and today was a testament to that effort. It was a long and challenging race, and our success relied on teamwork, but we executed our strategy excellently. I’m incredibly happy to win with my team.”
Pogacar’s success was facilitated by the efforts of his UAE Team Emirates teammates, who ensured he reached the Colma Di Sormano in a strong position after reeling in the leading breakaway group. “We planned it this way,” he explained. “The race is so tough that the final 40 kilometers are essentially a one-on-one battle. I knew that if I established a decent gap at the top, I could maintain it to the finish, but it’s always uncertain. After the descent, there was a fast section followed by some undulating terrain, and I aimed to extend my lead and gain a psychological advantage over the chase. It ended up being a race to the finish for everyone.”
As he approached the finish line, Pogacar glanced back to celebrate his victory, but his lead was secure. “I was just enjoying the crowds and looking forward to the off-season,” he said.
Meanwhile, Tom Pidcock, a notable absence from the Ineos Grenadiers team for this race, expressed disappointment on social media regarding his unexpected exclusion. Amidst speculation about his future with the British team, Pidcock shared, “Just as things were looking up after a turbulent end to the year, I am deselected for Lombardia tomorrow. I am in great shape and was really looking forward to it! Good luck to the boys; I guess the off-season starts early. Thanks to everyone for their support, even in tough times.”
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