Pogacar Enters Cycling Lore with historic Fifth Lombardia Victory
como, Italy – Tadej Pogačar cemented his place in cycling history Saturday with a dominant victory at the Il Lombardia, marking his fifth consecutive win in the “Classic of Dead Leaves.” The Slovenian star’s performance wasn’t just a win; it was a statement, leaving rivals like Remco Evenepoel, Ben O’Connor, Julian alaphilippe, and Isaac del Toro trailing in his wake.
Pogačar’s attack proved decisive, quickly dispatching even those attempting to stay with him, including fourth-place finisher Ben Simmons. He crossed the finish line a staggering 1 minute and 48 seconds ahead of Evenepoel, with Storer taking third.Nineteen-year-old paul Seixas,making his debut in the race,delivered a remarkable performance,finishing seventh.
This Lombardia triumph caps off a monumental season for Pogačar, bringing his seasonal victory count to an astounding 20.These include overall victory in the Tour de france and the World Championship title. “An amazing day from start to finish,” Pogačar stated post-race. “I felt good, the whole team did a super job. I’m very happy to have finished like this for Rafal Majka too,” acknowledging his retiring teammate.
The victory also extends Pogačar’s career total to 108 wins. His versatility throughout 2024 has been unparalleled, achieving a podium finish in all five Monuments – with victories in the Tour of Flanders and Liège-Bastogne-Liège, second place in Paris-Roubaix, and third in Milan-Sanremo. Pogačar and Isaac del Toro combined for 35 of UAE Team Emirates’ notable 93 victories this year,dwarfing the 47 wins achieved by the second-highest performing team,Lidl-Trek.
Key Achievements:
* 5 consecutive il Lombardia victories (equaling Fausto Coppi’s record)
* 108 career victories
* Podium finishes in all 2024 Monuments
* 20 seasonal successes, including the Tour de France and World Championship title
French Riders Shine
The race also saw strong performances from French cyclists, with Paul Seixas (7th), lenny Martinez (12th), and Julian Alaphilippe (23rd) all finishing in the top 25. Seixas’ seventh-place finish is notably noteworthy, making him the youngest rider in over forty years (since 1980) to achieve a top-10 result in a Monument on his debut. Alaphilippe’s consistent late-season form, including a scoring ride in the Québec GP and a podium finish in the Tre Valli Varesine, signals a positive trajectory for the veteran rider.
Pogačar’s continued success isn’t simply about breaking records; it represents a new standard of ambition and relentless pursuit of victory. As the cycling world looks ahead, one thing is clear: challengers will need to considerably elevate their performance to dethrone the Slovenian sensation. Cycling, onc again, has a dominant force, and his name is Tadej Pogačar.
