"I just have to admit that he was better" - Pogacar praises Enric Mas at Giro dell'Emilia, eyes Il Lombardia defense

Tadej Pogacar has returned to competition following the World Championships, as he begins his final preparation towards the final monument of the season, Il Lombardia. Pogacar was the main favourite for today's Giro dell'Emilia, but found stronger competition.

"I'm happy with the result, I just have to admit that he was better. It was a very nice race, with a very nice finish," Pogacar told reporters at the end of the Italian classic. UAE Team Emirates took responsibility for the peloton over the final laps of the circuit, setting a constant pace in order to prepare the Slovenian, for an eventual attack in the penultimate lap.

“The team believed in me. I am very grateful to my teammates, they did a fantastic job," he commented. Pogacar was initially the only rider to keep up with the attacks of Enric Mas, but in the final lap he could not keep up with the pace. He settled with second place, a strong result but one that also revealed a crack in his armour.

However, he shrugs off any disappointment: "Compared to last year, I am much better in this race. I am happy with the improvement in this course. I look forward to Wednesday and next Saturday. Lombardia I won last year. It was a different course then, but we will go to this last race of the season with the same mentality," he concluded. Pogacar will be back in the peloton for Tre Valli Varesine during the upcoming week.