Under the bright autumn sun in Lombardy, Tadej Pogačar once again proved why he is cycling’s reigning force. The 27-year-old Slovenian stormed up the final climb into Bergamo’s Città Alta and descended to claim victory at Il Lombardia for the fifth consecutive year, tying the legendary Fausto Coppi for all-time wins in the race.
This triumph marks Pogačar’s third Monument Classic victory of the season, following his earlier wins at the Tour of Flanders and Liège-Bastogne-Liège, making him only the second rider in history to secure three Monuments in a single calendar year—a feat previously achieved solely by Eddy Merckx.
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Historic Podium Across All Monuments
Pogačar’s season has been nothing short of extraordinary. In addition to his Monument wins, he secured a podium finish at Milano-Sanremo in March and placed second at Paris-Roubaix in April. By finishing on the podium of all five Monuments in a single season, he has set an unprecedented record in cycling history.
His winning move came with 34 kilometers remaining, a daring attack that showcased both his endurance and tactical brilliance. The Slovenian’s performance also reflects the strength of UAE Team Emirates-XRG, which now boasts 93 victories this season, surpassing the previous record of 85 set by Team Columbia-HTC in 2009.
Rising Stars and Farewells
While Pogačar basked in glory, his teammate Isaac del Toro impressed with a fifth-place finish, signaling the emergence of new talent within the Emirati squad. Meanwhile, veteran Rafał Majka brought a poignant end to his 15-year professional career, concluding a memorable era in the peloton.
As the golden leaves of Lombardy fell, Pogačar’s dominance this season has reinforced his standing as one of cycling’s greatest, blending history, consistency, and team strength in a performance that will be remembered for years to come.
