Pogačar takes Lombardia hat-trick with solo win

Slovenian puts on descending masterclass

- James Shrubsall, Adam Becket

Tadej Pogačar rounded off his year with a solo victory at the Il Lombardia Monument in northern Italy – his 15th win this season and his third in the race.

After escaping on the descent of the Passo di Ganda with 30km of the 236km race still to ride, the UAE Team Emirates rider managed to stay away to finish 51 seconds ahead of his nearest rivals.

The 25-year-old revealed afterwards that he had struggled with cramp in his thighs while trying to hold off the chasers, saying, “It’s a dream to finish solo. I enjoyed the last few kilometres, even though it was so, so painful.”

Il Lombardia seems to quickly have become Pogačar’s event – this was his third win here in three appearances, giving him a 100% record. Only Fausto Coppi and Alfredo Binda have won more, with Coppi holding the record at five and Binda on four.