"I felt old next to Albert on the podium" - Tadej Pogacar the Tre Valli Varesine dominator

Just two days after winning the European Championships, Tadej Pogacar returned to competition at the Tre Valli Varesine 2025. The plan was to keep up the competitive pace to reach 100% for Il Lombardia, his final goal of the season.

UAE Team Emirates - XRG were tasked with controlling the hilly race, not an easy task but one that would ultimately payed off as when Isaac del Toro and Tadej Pogacar attacked from the peloton, few riders were able to follow, and then in a descent with 22 kilometers to go the World Champion moved off the front and managed to drift away from the group and move on to another solo win in traditional style.

Speaking after his new victory in the Italian classic, the 27-year-old superstar explained why he decided to attack in a race where he could have saved his legs for the Giro di Lombardia:

"The plan was to wait until the last lap of the circuit to push the pace at all. Tudor Pro Cycling Team decided to go flat out very early and they opened the race from a long way out. Then Del Toro and I went on the attack on one of the climbs," Tadej Pogacar began by telling the media about how his solo attack began to take shape.

"The situation was ideal, with the two of us in the lead group. We knew that none of our rivals were going to relay us. When I saw that I was gaining an advantage on the descent, I decided to keep pushing until I reached the flat," he explained. "I knew I had to go all out because, if I went all out, Del Toro was behind to fight for the win". However that was not a concern, as no-one would have the legs to close down that attack, not even in a peloton setting behind.

Tadej Pogacar was also asked if he's not afraid of running out of energy for Il Lombardia with attacks like this one on the Tre Valli Varesine: "Obviously Lombardia is the main objective. It always gives a special motivation to race it, it's a monument, one of the big races of the year. But I'm not worried, my legs are sure to be fine for Saturday."

Finally, Pogacar spoke about the new generation of cyclists who are coming on strong. In the European Championships, Paul Seixas was third at only 19 years old, and in this Tre Valli Varesine Albert Philipsen, from Lidl-Trek, also from 2006, was second:

"I felt old next to Albert on the podium. Imagine Julian Alaphilippe (3rd). We are getting older and the new generation is coming. Paul Seixas has had an extraordinary year and Philipsen is a brilliant rider. Cycling is in good hands with these future talents," he concluded.