BERGAMO: Slovenia’s Tadej Pogacar made history on Saturday by winning the Il Lombardia for the fifth year in a row, matching Italian legend Fausto Coppi’s record for victories in the famous one-day race.
The 27-year-old superstar crossed the finish line in Bergamo nearly two minutes ahead of Belgium’s Remco Evenepoel, after launching a powerful attack on the Passo di Ganda climb—a trademark move that left his rivals far behind.
This victory also made Pogacar the first rider since Eddy Merckx in 1975 to win three Monuments in one season, after his earlier triumphs in the Tour of Flanders and Liege-Bastogne-Liege.
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“To win five times in a row… it feels unbelievable,” said Pogacar. “Every time I start this race, it feels made for me. This is my best season so far.”
Pogacar, who already holds 10 Monument titles, is now closing in on Merckx’s all-time record of 19. Earlier this year, he also became the first cyclist ever to finish on the podium in all five Monuments in a single season.
Backed by a strong UAE Team Emirates lineup, Pogacar timed his attack perfectly, catching early leader Quinn Simmons before the summit and soloing to the finish for a dominant, historic win.