Tadej Pogačar rounded off his year with a solo victory at the Il Lombardia Monument in northern Italy – his 15th win this season and his third in the race.
After escaping on the descent of the Passo di Ganda with 30km of the 236km race still to ride, the UAE Team Emirates rider managed to stay away to finish 51 seconds ahead of his nearest rivals.
The 25-year-old revealed afterwards that he had struggled with cramp in his thighs while trying to hold off the chasers, saying, “It’s a dream to finish solo. I enjoyed the last few kilometres, even though it was so, so painful.”
Il Lombardia seems to quickly have become Pogačar’s event – this was his third win here in three appearances, giving him a 100% record. Only Fausto Coppi and Alfredo Binda have won more, with Coppi holding the record at five and Binda on four.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
"We tore around the Sydney suburbs at 60kph in a terrifying, feral pack"
Fast, furious and furry tales from Australia
RIDDEN AND REVIEWED BROMPTON G LINE £2,499
A Brompton for running riot in both town and country
How do different gravel conditions impact your tyre choice?
There are a myriad of tyres on the market but selecting the right one is easier than you think
FEAST OF SWEDEN
Soon after landing in Gothenburg, I began to realise how little I knew about Sweden.
THE WORLD'S GREATEST GRAVEL EVENTS
Globe-trotting gravel racer Joe Laverick chooses his eight favourite events, from coastal Wales to the wilds of Kenya
THE CALL OF THE WILD
Tempted to embark on a long-distance bike adventure? Let former round-the-world record holder and author Julian Sayarer inspire you to strike out and hit the road
Saint Piran accused of using non-UCI legal bikes
Cornish team also alleged to owe former staff tens of thousands of pounds
JOE LAVERICK GETTING INTO THE FEED ZONE
I've ridden through hundreds of feed zones in my time racing a bike.
Lowden not ready to stop after retirement
Former Hour record holder eyes UK time trial scene
Pogačar makes history (again) at Lombardia
Slovenian makes it four in a row at the late-season Italian Monument
