08/10/2023

"It was a dream to arrive alone, I really enjoyed the last 2 kilometers" - Tadej Pogacar reflects on third Il Lombardia victory

Tadej Pogacar has won his third consecutive victory in Il Lombardia. The Slovenian rider launched an attack on the descent 30 kilometers from the finish line that dislodged his rivals after failing to escape on the climb, to take an historic win.

Although he suffered cramps in the last kilometers, he was able to enjoy reaching the finish line alone in Bergamo to win the fifth Monument of his career. After the race he commented as follows. Pogacar attack on the Passo di Ganda together with Aleksandr Vlasov, but it was on the descent that he launched the decisive attack - then benefiting from the lack of collaboration in the small chasing group.

Tadej Pogacar wins Il Lombardia following daredevil descent attack - Bagioli and Roglic complete podium

STRATEGY FOR VICTORY

"I tried to attack on the climb, but Vlasov was one of the strongest climbers. I know the climb very well and I didn't give up until the top, I was hoping that me and Alexander would both go to the finish, but the other rivals came from behind very well," Pogacar said in a post-race interview. "I knew from the moment I took a small lead that the descent was better than two years ago, which was a disaster for me, today I gave everything, it was hard to give everything to the finish, it was a very hard day on all the climbs".

UAE Team Emirates look to renew with Tadej Pogacar until 2029

CRAMPS NEAR THE FINISH LINE

"I suffered cramps, first in the right leg and then in the left, I thought it was over, but I kept trying, I lowered the power a bit, I tried to be as aerodynamic as possible, to save energy for the last climb. I was hoping they wouldn't cooperate with each other behind, but I wasn't going that fast." The UAE Team Emirates managed to benefit from the lack of cohesion behind, helped by his teammate Adam Yates who also put on a very strong performance.

3 CONSECUTIVE WINS

The first rider to win three consecutive Lombardias for over 70 years, the Slovenian continues to make the grounds through the ranks of cycling history. "To win for the third time in my second participation, the second time here in Bergamo, it was a dream to arrive alone and today was fantastic, I really enjoyed the last 2 kilometers even if it was being very painful, I really enjoyed it. To win for the third time in Lombardy is incredible".