Tadej Pogacar's fifth consecutive Il Lombardia victory sparks awe and debate!
In a breathtaking display of cycling prowess, Tadej Pogacar claimed his fifth consecutive Il Lombardia title, matching the legendary Fausto Coppi's record. But here's where it gets controversial—is Pogacar's dominance a testament to his skill or a sign of a lack of competition?
The Slovenian champion unleashed a fierce attack on the climb, leaving his rivals in the dust with 38km remaining. He caught up with Quinn Simmons, the lone breakaway rider, who had a three-minute head start, and powered to a solo win in the season's final Monument. This victory marked a historic achievement—Pogacar became the sole rider to win five consecutive Monuments and the first to secure a podium finish in all five Monuments in a single season.
Earlier in the season, Pogacar conquered the Tour of Flanders and Liege-Bastogne-Liege, making him the first since Eddy Merckx in 1975 to win three Monuments, the Tour de France, and the world title in one season. Despite his remarkable achievements, Pogacar expressed fatigue at being constantly compared to the Belgian legend, stating that no one enjoys constant comparisons.
Pogacar's winning margin was an impressive two minutes ahead of Remco Evenepoel, with Michael Storer a distant third. Reflecting on his success, Pogacar acknowledged the perfect synergy between his abilities and his team's support. He humbly declared that each season feels like his best, and 2025 is no exception.
This year has been extraordinary for Pogacar, having secured his fourth Tour de France victory and retained his UCI Road World Championship title in Rwanda. British riders Tom Pidcock and Adam Yates finished sixth and 11th, respectively, in Il Lombardia.
Il Lombardia stands as one of cycling's most demanding one-day Monuments, alongside the Tour of Flanders, Liege-Bastogne-Liege, Milan-San Remo, and Paris-Roubaix. The race's general classification showcases Pogacar's dominance, with a significant time gap to his closest competitors.
And this is the part most people miss—is Pogacar's reign a sign of his greatness, or does it hint at a lack of competition in the sport? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
