Tadej Pogačar is chasing historical past at Il Lombardia, aiming to win the remaining Monument Vintage of the 2023 season for a 3rd consecutive time.
After his advanced wrist fracture at Liège-Bastogne-Liège after which a gruelling Excursion de France the place he suffered a 2d defeat to Jonas Vingegaard, Pogačar desires to turn he’s again to his absolute best, finish his season on a prime, and assist UAE Staff Emirates protected the number 1 spot within the UCI staff scores.
“Il Lombardia all the time motivates me. It has a unique position in my center,” Pogačar informed Cyclingnews and L. a. Gazzetta dello Recreation in an unique interview at the eve of the race.
He seemed at ease as ever however able for a last laborious day within the saddle.
“There are different large races however Il Lombardia is particular. It is a monument too, it is lengthy and tremendous laborious, you in point of fact wish to be the most efficient to win,” he defined. “To take a look at to win a 3rd consecutive time might be difficult nevertheless it’d be particular.
“I might love to complete the season on a prime with victory at Il Lombardia.”
A lot of riders have gained back-to-back editions of Il Lombardia however handiest Alfredo Binda gained 3 between 1925 and 1927 and Fausto Coppi gained 4 instances between 1946 and 1949. A hat trick of Classics is a lot more tricky within the fashionable generation, with Moreno Argentin the remaining to win 3 editions of Liège-Bastogne-Liège between 1985 and 1987.
Pogačar gained in 2021 in Bergamo and in Como in 2022, because the race path alternates between the Lombardy towns and comprises other climbs.
The well-known Madonna del Ghisallo climb, with the bicycle owner chapel and shrine on the best, is the primary of 7 main climbs all through this 12 months’s 238km race.
The penultimate Passo di Ganda will no doubt be the decisive climb, simply because it used to be in 2021. Pogačar attacked on my own at the 9.2km, 7.1% climb. He used to be joined by way of Bergamo native Fausto Masnada however then beat him within the dash to the road once they rode during the shouting tifosi at the Colle Aperto remaining climb as much as Bergamo Alto. This 12 months the Colle Aperto can even host the Curva Pinot because the French rider’s lovers give him a rousing farewell.
“The reminiscences of my first Il Lombardia win got here again well once we did the recon journey,” Pogačar defined.
“I will be mindful the primary time I gained and crossed the end line in Bergamo, I used to be extremely joyful, it used to be out of this global to win it.
“Nibali attacked at the Ganda climb, I adopted after which there used to be no one else on my wheel, so it used to be a superb opportunity to head solo, then Masnada got here throughout. It used to be a sexy cool win.”
Pogačar is aware of the right way to win at the street from Como to Bergamo however stays wary.
“The Bergamo path is extra of a Vintage race, it is lengthy and the remaining two climbs are longer too. You want 250km to your legs and to your head,” he warned.
Assured of his shape
Pogačar has handiest raced 4 instances for the reason that International Championships in early August, whilst lots of his opponents have just lately finished and inspired on the Excursion de France, together with Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-QuickStep) and Primož Roglič, who’s driving his remaining race for Jumbo-Visma.
But he’s assured of his shape, in spite of Roglič distancing him to win the Giro dell’Emilia remaining Saturday within the difficult San Luca climb overlooking Bologna.
“I had a just right relaxation after the Excursion de France. I wished it,” Pogačar stated.
“As I stated within the race, I used to be ‘f*cked, much more so after additionally doing the International Championships. I wished a wreck to get well. I took issues slowly however were given my motivation and freshness again, so it sort of feels highest for me. I did not do the Vuelta however I don’t believe I might be a lot more potent now.”
The overall Il Lombardia get started record is filled with gifted riders who can take care of laborious climbs and competitive races. Pogačar wears dossard primary, with Roglič possibly his largest risk, adopted by way of 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 make stronger of Adam Yates, Rafal Majka, Davide Formolo and Marc Hirschi.
Pogačar rightly turns out maximum all in favour of Roglič.
“Primož too can pass from a ways out however he is gained numerous races in the previous few hundred metres too. He is a large risk,” Pogačar says of his fellow Slovenian.
“He is possibly races extra conservative, whilst Remco and I journey extra on intuition however at Il Lombardia, he may additionally assault with 80 km to head.
“He is obviously in nice form however I feel I am in a bit bit higher shape or about the similar. I think just right at the motorcycle and I’ve just right legs. Il Lombardia must swimsuit me even higher than the opposite races like Emilia or Tre Valli Varesine as a result of they are longer and tougher.”
“It is laborious to make the adaptation at the Bergamo route, so you wish to have to damage open the race previous after which see what occurs at the remaining climb as much as Bergamo after which on the end, it is about whoever has the legs left there.
“We will see who this is on Saturday.”