Tadej Pogacar talks Lombardia ambitions and Evenepoel expectations: "Remco is mentally more ready for the big race, than for the smaller ones"

Tadej Pogacar has extensively talked about doping in this afternoon's press conference but among other topics were expectations for tomorrow's Il Lombardia and Remco Evenepoel. But almost unanimously, everyone considers him the man to beat and there will be a lot of eyes on him.

"I certainly want to set myself different goals. But at this point in the season, the Lombardia is the Lombardia and there are not many other races like it to do. It is a nice race to do every year and if I can win as many as possible, I am fine with it," Pogacar told Bici.Pro. "I have been here three times and I have won three times. We will see tomorrow. If I can do it, I will be happy. If I don't, I will have had fun anyway."

Despite the route changes and the lack of a tough climb in the final kilometers, the Colma di Sormano around 40 kilometers from the finish and the 4800 meters of climbing over the 255 kilometers will make it a more difficult challenge and he should be able to drop the competition taking to consideration the incredible team; including Rafal Majka, Adam Yates and Jay Vine who should thrive in the long climbs and will be able to set a constant and strong pace. But even if he can't drop the competition, in the final small ascent or sprint he should also be the strongest out of all favourites.

"I think that in cycling it's never easy to win, so I wouldn't be surprised if I didn't win. But I'm ready to give it my all one last time," he added. "In Switzerland (at the World Championships, ed.), there were certainly riders who could follow me, for example Evenepoel. At Emilia we were closer to the finish line, it was raining, so it was quite a tough day. I showed great power, there I could imagine that no one would follow me. But I wouldn't say, as I read, that I'm in the same shape as the Tour".

Jonas Vingegaard is at home after ending his season in August, Primoz Roglic accused signs of fatigue and is not present in the race, whilst Tom Pidcock has been removed from the race by INEOS Grenadiers. Remco Evenepoel is the most obvious rival for the World Champion but in reality, the Soudal - Quick-Step has been far from his best since making his way to Italy.

"This week has not been the best for him. It has been really tough. If you are not mentally prepared at the end of the season, even for a race in the rain or with that terrible weather, you cannot hold on. If there is not a great motivation to win races, it is difficult to get to the point of competing. But I think for the Lombardia it is different. I think Remco is mentally more ready for the big race, than for the smaller ones. So I think he will try tomorrow".