Tadej Pogačar is chasing historical past at Il Lombardia, aiming to win the final Monument Basic of the 2023 season for a 3rd consecutive time.
After his complicated wrist fracture at Liège-Bastogne-Liège after which a gruelling Tour de France the place he suffered a second defeat to Jonas Vingegaard, Pogačar desires to point out he’s again to his greatest, finish his season on a excessive, and assist UAE Workforce Emirates safe the primary spot within the UCI group rankings.
“Il Lombardia all the time motivates me. It has a particular place in my coronary heart,” Pogačar informed Cyclingnews and La Gazzetta dello Sport in an unique interview on the eve of the race.
He appeared relaxed as ever however prepared for a last onerous day within the saddle.
“There are different massive races however Il Lombardia is particular. It is a monument too, it is lengthy and tremendous onerous, you actually should be the perfect to win,” he defined. “To attempt to win a 3rd consecutive time can be powerful nevertheless it’d be particular.
“I might love to complete the season on a excessive with victory at Il Lombardia.”
Loads of riders have received back-to-back editions of Il Lombardia however solely Alfredo Binda received three between 1925 and 1927 and Fausto Coppi received 4 instances between 1946 and 1949. A hat trick of Classics is way more troublesome within the trendy period, with Moreno Argentin the final to win three editions of Liège-Bastogne-Liège between 1985 and 1987.
Pogačar received in 2021 in Bergamo and in Como in 2022, because the race route alternates between the Lombardy cities and consists of completely different climbs.
The well-known Madonna del Ghisallo climb, with the bicycle owner chapel and shrine on the prime, is the primary of seven main climbs throughout this yr’s 238km race.
The penultimate Passo di Ganda will certainly be the decisive climb, simply because it was in 2021. Pogačar attacked alone on the 9.2km, 7.1% climb. He was joined by Bergamo native Fausto Masnada however then beat him within the dash to the road after they rode by way of the shouting tifosi on the Colle Aperto final climb as much as Bergamo Alto. This yr the Colle Aperto can even host the Curva Pinot because the French rider’s followers give him a rousing farewell.
“The recollections of my first Il Lombardia win got here again properly after we did the recon experience,” Pogačar defined.
“I can keep in mind the primary time I received and crossed the end line in Bergamo, I used to be overjoyed, it was out of this world to win it.
“Nibali attacked on the Ganda climb, I adopted after which there was no person else on my wheel, so it was a fantastic alternative to go solo, then Masnada got here throughout. It was a fairly cool win.”
Pogačar is aware of how one can win on the street from Como to Bergamo however stays cautious.
“The Bergamo route is extra of a Basic race, it is lengthy and the final two climbs are longer too. You want 250km in your legs and in your head,” he warned.
Assured of his type
Pogačar has solely raced 4 instances because the World Championships in early August, whereas a lot of his rivals have lately accomplished and impressed on the Tour de France, together with Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-QuickStep) and Primož Roglič, who’s driving his final race for Jumbo-Visma.
But he’s assured of his type, regardless of Roglič distancing him to win the Giro dell’Emilia final Saturday within the powerful San Luca climb overlooking Bologna.
“I had a superb relaxation after the Tour de France. I wanted it,” Pogačar stated.
“As I stated within the race, I used to be ‘f*cked, much more so after additionally doing the World Championships. I wanted a break to get better. I took issues slowly however received my motivation and freshness again, so it appears good for me. I did not do the Vuelta however I do not assume I may very well be a lot stronger now.”
The ultimate Il Lombardia begin listing is filled with proficient riders who can deal with onerous climbs and aggressive races. Pogačar wears dossard primary, with Roglič maybe his greatest menace, adopted by Evenepoel, Enric Mas (Movistar), Richard Carapaz (EF Training-EasyPost), Ben O’Connor (AG2R-Citroën), Carlos Rodriguez and Pavel Sivakov (Ineos Grenadiers), Simon Yates (Jayco-Alula). Pogačar has the help of Adam Yates, Rafal Majka, Davide Formolo and Marc Hirschi.
Pogačar rightly appears most involved about Roglič.
“Primož may also go from a great distance out however he is received loads of races in the previous couple of hundred metres too. He is an enormous menace,” Pogačar says of his fellow Slovenian.
“He is maybe races extra conservative, whereas Remco and I experience extra on intuition however at Il Lombardia, he might additionally assault with 80 km to go.
“He is clearly in nice form however I believe I am in a little bit bit higher type or about the identical. I really feel good on the bike and I’ve good legs. Il Lombardia ought to go well with me even higher than the opposite races like Emilia or Tre Valli Varesine as a result of they’re longer and more durable.”
“It is onerous to make the distinction on the Bergamo course, so you have to break open the race earlier after which see what occurs on the final climb as much as Bergamo after which on the end, it is about whoever has the legs left there.
“We’ll see who that’s on Saturday.”