Il Lombardia Race File: Tadej Pogačar dropped the highest males within the main staff to solo to victory in Bergamo. His 3rd in a row Il Lombardia and his 5th monument. The opposite stars couldn’t pull the Slovenian champion again even if he had cramp within the final kilometres. Andrea Bagioli used to be 2nd and Primož Roglič 3rd at 51 seconds.
Il Lombardia highlights
Tadej Pogačar has gained the Excursion of Lombardy for a 3rd consecutive time. The Slovenian from UAE Crew Emirates rode clear of an elite staff at the descent of the Passo di Ganda after which soloed to his 5th monument victory.
Tadej Pogačar takes his 3rd in a row Il Lombardia
The Direction of Il Lombardia introduced by way of Crédit Agricole
Beginning in Como, and heading for Cantù, the direction takes within the Ghisallo (coming from Asso), descends into Bellagio and reaches Lecco, working alongside the lakeshore. After coming into the province of Bergamo, the direction takes in a succession of climbs and descents, with just about no flat stretches in-between, main all of the approach to the end. After negotiating the Roncola (Valico di Valpiana, with gradients attaining 17%), the riders can be tackling Berbenno, Dossena, Zambla Alta and Passo di Ganda, with a complete altitude achieve of over 4,400m. Previous Ganda, the direction arrives in Selvino the place it takes an extended descent comprising 19 hairpins. The next 9 kilometres (the one flat stretch of the race finale) function an solution to town. The direction then passes thru Città Alta, heading for the end.
Il Lombardia’23 map
Ultimate kilometres
Within the ultimate kilometres, the direction runs around the higher town (Bergamo Alta), mountain climbing up to achieve Porta Garibaldi after which Largo Aperto (masking 200 metres on pebble paving). Within the first section, gradients by no means fall beneath 10% (with a most of 12%). Alongside the descent, the roadway is large and the outside is clean. With 1,800m to the end, a pointy bend and a brief stretch of narrowed roadway lead thru Porta Sant’Agostino. The street takes a large bend to the left after the flamme rouge, resulting in the end line. The house stretch (800 m lengthy, on 7.5 m large asphalt highway) runs to begin with downwards and ranges out afterwards.
Il Lombardia’23 profile
The 2023 Il Lombardia used to be billed as a three-way struggle between two-time Il Lombardia winner Tadej Pogačar, man-in-form Primoz Roglič and Remco Evenepoel, who has dangerous reminiscences of the final Monument of the season. Those most sensible riders stored their powder dry within the first a part of the race, however many different riders have been keen to sign up for an early smash. Within the opening kilometres, ten riders arrange an early break out.
Tadej Pogačar in search of his 3rd Il Lombardia win
Thomas De Gendt used to be within the main staff and the Belgian break out knowledgeable of Lotto Dstny had Nicolas Prodhomme (AG2R Citroën), Samuele Battistella (Astana Qazaqstan), Paul Ourselin (TotalEnergies), Mattia Bais (EOLO-Kometa), Simon Geschke (Cofidis), Jacob Eriksson (Tudor), Kamil Małecki (Q36.5), Asbjørn Helleberg (Lidl-Trek) and Nicolò Buratti (Bahrain Victorious) with him. The peloton used to be no longer proud of the location.
There was a large number of communicate round Primoz Roglič this week – Off to BORA-hansgrohe for 2024
A number of riders attempted to move over to the lead staff. Filippo Ganna and Ben Swift for INEOS Grenadiers and Martin Marcellusi and Alex Tolio of Inexperienced Undertaking-Bardiani CSF-Faizanè, Nils Brun (Tudor), Nicola Conci and Tobias Bayer of Alpecin-Deceuninck all attempted to move. The chasing staff gave the look to be caught between smash and peloton, however they got here in combination at the climb to the church of Madonna del Ghisallo.
Remco Evenepoel should have had a bothered week with all of the merger controversy
There used to be a crash within the peloton within the run-up to the primary climb. Evenepoel, probably the most most sensible favourites, used to be concerned and stayed at the floor for a very long time. Thankfully, the Soudal Fast-Step chief used to be ready to proceed, however with an injured left elbow. Sjoerd Bax of UAE Crew Emirates used to be no longer so fortunate and needed to abandon the race.
Diego Ulissi and double winner Vincenzo Nibali at first
On the entrance of the race: Swift, Tolio, Marcellusi, Brun, Conci and Bayer, Ganna have been dropped, joined the unique 11 leaders, we now had a smash of 16 riders. The peloton let this staff cross and the lead larger to greater than 4 mins. Jumbo-Visma took keep an eye on of the peloton for Roglič.
Good-bye Thibaut Pinot
The Dutch group had lend a hand from EF Training-EasyPost, which had Richard Carapaz and Ben Healy in quest of victory. Because of the paintings of those groups within the peloton, the lead began to shrink. On the summit of the Roncola the adaptation used to be simply over 2 mins. In this climb of 9.4 kilometres at 6.6%, Soudal Fast-Step took command for Evenepoel and began to make the race tricky for the bunch.
The smash of the day used to be in the end: Nicolas Prodhomme (AG2R Citroën), Tobias Bayer & Nicola Conci (Alpecin-Deceuninck), Samuele Battistella (Astana Qazaqstan), Nicolò Buratti (Bahrain Victorious), Simon Geschke (Cofidis), Mattia Bais (EOLO-Kometa), Martin Marcellusi & Alex Tolio (Inexperienced Undertaking-Bardiani CSF-Faizanè), Ben Swift (INEOS Grenadiers), Asbjørn Hellemose (Lidl-Trek), Thomas De Gendt (Lotto Dstny), Kamil Malecki (Q36.5), Nils Brun & Jacob Eriksson (Tudor) and Paul Ourselin (TotalEnergies)
The primary sufferer of Mauri Vansevenant’s paintings used to be Enric Mas of Movistar. The Spanish climber, 2nd in Il Lombardia final 12 months and fourth within the Giro del’Emilia final week, didn’t glance relaxed and climbed off his motorcycle quickly after being dropped. The leaders had began the Passo della Crocetta (11km at 6%) and it used to be Battistella who put at the power and cut up the smash.
Jumbo-Visma managed the peloton alongside Lake Garda
There used to be additionally an assault within the peloton from Ben Healy and Oscar Onley. The assault by way of the Irish champion and the younger Scot used to be very early within the race. They should have felt just right and attempted to move to the thinned out main staff, however Jumbo-Visma didn’t allow them to cross simply. In the back of the peloton, the door used to be large open and riders have been getting dropped. Healy and Onley controlled to sign up for the leaders after an extended struggle.
The most productive beard within the peloton – Simon Geschke used to be off the entrance
Healy went instantly to the entrance within the following kilometres and made up our minds to proceed. Handiest Onley, Tolio, Marcellusi and Prodhomme controlled to stick with him to provide us 5 leaders on the most sensible of the Zambla Alta, with greater than 60 kilometres to visit the end. There used to be a 2nd crash within the peloton, Mikel Landa and Richard Carapaz being the most important manes. The Ecuadorian used to be quickly again on his motorcycle, however Landa, 3rd final 12 months, took longer to get better.
The Santuario della Madonna del Ghisallo got here early within the race and in the wrong way
It gave the impression of the Spanish climber would finish his final race with Bahrain Victorious in a foul approach, however in the end he used to be ready to proceed. Healy gave a large number of effort at the descent of the Zambla Alta. Marcellusi used to be the one rider who may just practice the wheel of the Irishman and those two began the Passo di Ganda with a small lead. Tolio, Prodhomme and Onley had by way of now been stuck.
Into Bellagio and Lake Como
Healy and Marcellusi have been nonetheless using strongly, however the peloton used to be gaining on them. On the foot of the Passo di Ganda the lead used to be round 40 seconds and this used to be no longer sufficient for the 2 escapees. Marcellusi used to be the primary to be stuck, Healy attempted to carry out just a little longer on his personal, however he used to be additionally stuck.
Now not a just right day for Filippo Ganna punctures and a motorcycle alternate, his INEOS Grenadiers group had a large number of punctures lately
Adam Yates opened the motion and used to be joined by way of Julian Alaphilippe. Now not a lot later, those two have been joined by way of most sensible favourites Roglič and Pogačar, Simon Yates, Aleksandr Vlasov, Carlos Rodriguez, Michael Woods, Richard Carapaz, Chris Harper, Antonio Tiberi, Andrea Bagioli and Fausto Masnada. Evenepoel used to be lacking and would no longer see the entrance of the race once more. On the entrance, the 2 Slovenians simply checked out every different.
Remco Evenepoel had a crash early within the day
The peloton stayed in combination for a very long time in the back of the smash
The poker recreation between the 2 let a number one staff sort with out Roglič and Pogačar. Pogačar didn’t stay up for lengthy and briefly crossed to the gang after which went solo. Vlasov controlled to near the space on Pogačar with obvious ease, and got here thru to paintings. Roglič didn’t glance nice, however did convey himself again into the race.
Oscar Onley and Ben Healy crossed to the smash
The peloton used to be looking forward to the overall climbs
Pogačar, Vlasov, Bagioli, Simon and Adam Yates, Roglič and Rodríguez began the descent of the Passo di Ganda. Pogačar used to be not able to make a distinction going up hill, however the UAE Crew Emirates rider shocked at the downhill. Roglič used to be not able to near the space and his countryman quickly had the lead. Pogačar took some dangers and had 30 seconds at the chasers.
Pogačar on his approach to Lombardia No.3
The chase used to be on in the back of Pogačar, however it wasn’t just right sufficient
Pogačar controlled to extend his result in 45 seconds within the first few flat kilometres and the race appeared to be over, however with about 10 kilometres to head he abruptly began to hit his thighs, an indication of cramp. The Slovenian used to be nonetheless ready to carry a just right tempo, in the back of him the co-operation within the chase used to be no longer just right. In consequence, Pogačar took extra as he began the final climb of the day, the Colle Aperto (1.6km at 8%) with a lead of round 45 seconds.
Even a bit of of cramp wasn’t going to prevent Pogačar
1000’s of lovers at the climb thru Bergamo
Pogačar rode up this quick climb thru outdated Bergamo, surrounded by way of lovers, with nice taste and soloed to his 3rd in a row Il Lombardia win. Within the dash for 2nd position, Bagioli beat Roglič. Evenepoel battled directly to crossed the road in ninth position.
Pogačar’s 3rd Lombardia, however simply as glad
2d position went to Bagioli from Roglič
Il Lombardia winner Tadej Pogačar (UAE Crew Emirates): “To win for the 3rd time in my 3rd participation and for the second one time right here in Bergamo, it’s a dream come true. I sought after to win solo however I believed Alexander Vlasov would stick with me for longer as a result of he used to be probably the most most powerful lately. Within the second I were given just a little hole, I did the descent a lot better than two years in the past. I were given cramps on my proper leg and I’ve idea I used to be accomplished however I driven thru. It’s wonderful!”
The Lombardia 2023 podium
# Meet up with all of the newest information in EUROTRASH Monday. #
Il Lombardia End result:
1. Tadej Pogačar (Slo) UAE Crew Emirates in 5:55:33
2. Andrea Bagioli (Ita) Soudal Fast-Step at 0:51
3. Primož Roglič (Slo) Jumbo-Visma
4. Aleksandr Vlasov (-) BORA-hansgrohe
5. Simon Yates (GB) Jayco AlUla
6. Adam Yates (GB) UAE Crew Emirates
7. Carlos Rodríguez (Spa) INEOS Grenadiers
8. Richard Carapaz (Eu) EF Training-EasyPost in 1:05
9. Remco Evenepoel (Bel) Soudal Fast-Step in 1:25
10. Andreas Kron (Den) Lotto Dstny.
Like PEZ? Why no longer subscribe to our weekly publication to obtain updates and reminders on what is cool in highway biking?
