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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 needs to indicate he’s again to his greatest, finish his season on a excessive, and assist UAE Workforce Emirates safe the primary spot within the UCI crew rankings.
“Il Lombardia at all times motivates me. It has a particular place in my coronary heart,” Pogačar instructed 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 laborious day within the saddle.
“There are different massive races however Il Lombardia is particular. It is a monument too, it is lengthy and tremendous laborious, you actually must be the perfect to win,” he defined. “To attempt to win a 3rd consecutive time might be powerful nevertheless it’d be particular.
“I would love to complete the season on a excessive with victory at Il Lombardia.”
Loads of riders have gained back-to-back editions of Il Lombardia however solely Alfredo Binda gained three between 1925 and 1927 and Fausto Coppi gained 4 instances between 1946 and 1949. A hat trick of Classics is way more tough within the trendy period, with Moreno Argentin the final to win three editions of Liège-Bastogne-Liège between 1985 and 1987.
Pogačar gained in 2021 in Bergamo and in Como in 2022, because the race route alternates between the Lombardy cities and contains 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 via 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 reminiscences of my first Il Lombardia win got here again properly once we did the recon trip,” Pogačar defined.
“I can bear in mind the primary time I gained 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 one else on my wheel, so it was an incredible alternative to go solo, then Masnada got here throughout. It was a reasonably cool win.”
Pogačar is aware of how one can win on the highway 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 not too long ago 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 an excellent 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 recuperate. I took issues slowly however acquired my motivation and freshness again, so it appears excellent 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 record is full of gifted riders who can deal with laborious climbs and aggressive races. Pogačar wears dossard primary, with Roglič maybe his greatest risk, adopted by Evenepoel, Enric Mas (Movistar), Richard Carapaz (EF Schooling-EasyPost), Ben O’Connor (AG2R-Citroën), Carlos Rodriguez and Pavel Sivakov (Ineos Grenadiers), Simon Yates (Jayco-Alula). Pogačar has the assist of Adam Yates, Rafal Majka, Davide Formolo and Marc Hirschi.
Pogačar rightly appears most involved about Roglič.
“Primož also can go from a great distance out however he is gained lots of races in the previous couple of hundred metres too. He is a giant risk,” Pogačar says of his fellow Slovenian.
“He is maybe races extra conservative, whereas Remco and I trip extra on intuition however at Il Lombardia, he may additionally assault with 80 km to go.
“He is clearly in nice form however I feel I am in slightly bit higher type or about the identical. I really feel good on the bike and I’ve good legs. Il Lombardia ought to swimsuit me even higher than the opposite races like Emilia or Tre Valli Varesine as a result of they’re longer and tougher.”
“It is laborious to make the distinction on the Bergamo course, so it’s essential 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.”
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