Tadej Pogačar continues to rewrite cycling history. The Slovenian superstar secured his fifth consecutive victory at Il Lombardia, matching the legendary Fausto Coppi’s record in the event and becoming the first rider to achieve five straight wins in a Monument classic.
In the finish at Bergamo, Pogačar crossed the line 1 minute and 48 seconds ahead of Remco Evenepoel of Soudal Quick-Step. Michael Storer of Tudor Pro Cycling finished over three minutes back to take third, while Quinn Simmons of Lidl-Trek placed fourth.
Displaying the strength of UAE Team Emirates, Pogačar launched a decisive attack on the Passo di Ganda, less than 37 kilometers from the finish. The newly crowned world and European champion quickly distanced his rivals and bridged to Simmons, the last remaining rider from the day’s breakaway.
By the summit of the Ganda, Pogačar had built a 1:15 lead over the chase group containing Evenepoel, Simmons, and Storer. As is his trademark, the UAE Team leader showed no mercy on the run-in to the finish, extending his advantage all the way to the line. With this win, he also became the first rider to podium in all five Monuments in a single season. The victory brings his career Monument tally to 10, drawing him level with Costante Girardengo for third all-time, behind only Eddy Merckx (19) and Roger De Vlaeminck (11).
“Five in a row since I started racing it—Lombardia really suits me,” said Pogačar. “But at the same time, the team gave me incredible support to make it possible. A big, big thank you to all my teammates.”
He explained that the race unfolded perfectly according to plan: “Domen Novak was super good, Pavel Sivakov was also impressive today, and all the guys who set the pace on the last climb and protected me behind. They did a top, top job.”
Race Recap
Quinn Simmons signaled his intentions early, attacking from the gun. He was joined by 13 riders, including Filippo Ganna, Lucas Hamilton, Victor Lafay, Asbjørn Hellemose, Michael Matthews, Patrick Konrad, Bart Lemmen, Pelayo Sánchez, Thibaut Bernard, Louis Vervoeke, Walter Calzoni, Bjørn Heynen, and Mattia Bais.
Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe initially controlled the peloton, with UAE Team Emirates’ Domen Novak also contributing. The break’s advantage stretched to three minutes approaching the Roncola climb, where UAE Team Emirates began to assert its authority.
Sivakov played a key role, reducing the break’s lead to two minutes. The increased pace briefly split the peloton, distancing riders like Paul Lapeira of Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale and Ben Healy of EF Education-EasyPost.
On the day’s longest climb, the 11.7-kilometer Crocetta di Nese, Simmons attacked from the break. Ganna, Sánchez, Matthews, and Vervoeke gave chase but were unable to close the gap. Over the top, Simmons led the chasers by 45 seconds, with the peloton at 3:15.
Simmons maintained his gap over the main field on the Zambla Alta, where pre-race favorite Ben Healy became the first major contender to lose contact.
On the flat section after the Zambla Alta descent and before the start of the Passo di Ganda, Sivakov again set a fierce tempo for Pogačar, cutting Simmons’ lead by 30 seconds before Rafał Majka, in his final professional race, took over pacing duties for UAE.
After Majka finished his turn, Pogačar acknowledged the veteran as he passed, following Jay Vine and Isaac del Toro. Vine continued the relentless pace, shattering the chase group. Soon, only Evenepoel, Storer, and Lapeira remained with the Australian and Del Toro.
Vine’s acceleration with just under 37km to go signaled the imminent attack. Pogačar launched clear, immediately opening a gap that only grew. Evenepoel led Storer, Lapeira, and Del Toro in pursuit, but it was clear they were racing for second place.
Pogačar caught Simmons with 3km remaining to the summit of the Ganda, effectively sealing the victory. Although the American champion, who had been in the break for over 200km, held on for a few hundred meters, Pogačar dropped him for good with 34km to the finish.
After distancing Del Toro and Lapeira, Evenepoel and Storer caught Simmons just before the Ganda summit, trailing Pogačar by 1:18. On the rolling terrain after the climb, Evenepoel maintained a high pace, eventually dropping Simmons.
Storer soon also lost the wheel of the Belgian rider. Evenepoel appeared to be closing the gap to Pogačar at one point, but it proved to be an illusion. While Evenepoel once again secured the runner-up spot, Pogačar was in a league of his own.
