A Record-Breaking Win at Lombardia
Tadej Pogacar won the Giro di Lombardia again. This happened on October 11, 2025. He rides for Slovenia. The race covers 241 kilometers. It goes through tough hills in Italy. Pogacar attacked on the last big climb. That was Passo di Ganda. He rode away alone. No one caught him. He finished 1 minute and 48 seconds ahead. Remco Evenepoel came second. He rides for Soudal Quick-Step. Michael Storer took third. He is with Tudor Pro Cycling Team. Storer lagged more than three minutes back.
This win marks five in a row for Pogacar in this race. He ties Fausto Coppi. Coppi won five times back in the 1940s and 1950s. But Coppi did not win them one after another. Pogacar is the first to take any Monument five years straight. Monuments are the five big one-day races. Lombardia is one. Leaves fall. Roads narrow. Fans line up.
Pogacar crossed the line with arms up. He smiled big. Crowds cheered loud in Como. Bells rang. Flags waved. Slovenian colors everywhere. His bike shiny. Sweat dripped. But happy face.
“This Race Really Suits Me”
Pogacar talked after. “Win Il Lombardia five times row. Feels good. Race fits my legs.” He likes the climbs. Steep parts. Long day. “Team helps huge,” he added. Domen Novak paced hard. Pavel Sivakov too. They rode front on Ganda. Blocked chasers. Gave Pogacar space to go.
Novak from Slovenia too. Friend. Sivakov Russian but rides UAE. Strong climbers. Pulled turns. Wind cut. Pogacar sat third wheel. Saved energy. Then boom. Attack. Gap opened quick. 10 seconds. 20. Gone.
Team car followed. Bottles handed. Gels passed. Radio crackled. Director said go. Pogacar went. Solo 37 km left. Hills still. But strong. Pushed 400 watts average maybe. Heart steady. Legs burn but hold.
A Monumental Season
2025 big for Pogacar. He won three Monuments. Tour of Flanders first. Cobbles shake. He attacked Oude Kwaremont. Won solo. Liège-Bastogne-Liège next. Hills Ardennes. Dropped group on La Redoute. Then Lombardia. Three in year. Last did Eddy Merckx. 1975. Pogacar joins him.
He placed all five Monuments podium. Second Paris-Roubaix. Dust flew. Crashed once. Got up. Chased. Third Milano-Sanremo. Sprint close. First rider ever top three all five same year. Crazy stat.
Tour de France won too. Yellow jersey. World champ rainbow bands. Wore them Lombardia. Pretty sight.
Pogacar 27 now. Wait, 25 article says. Born 1998. Yes 27 in 2025. Young still. Wins pile. 80 pro victories maybe. 10 Monuments. Most active rider.
Ernesto Colnago there finish. Bike maker legend. 93 years old. Pogacar rides his frames. Merckx called. Talked phone. “Cool moment,” Pogacar said. “But no compare. Each rider different.”
A Relentless Final Attack
Race started Bergamo. Ended Como. Lake views. 4,000 meters climb total. Cold morning. Rain light early. Roads slick. Careful descents. Pogacar stayed front. UAE team controlled.
Key break mid race. But pulled back. Then San Fermo climb. Attacks flew. Pogacar watched. Saved. Ganda last. 8 km up. Steep bits 12 percent. He stood. Pedaled smooth. Gap grew.
Evenepoel chased. Belgian strong. Time trial king. But day not his. Legs tired. Storer hung third. Aussie climber. Good ride.
Pogacar descended fast. Corners tight. Bike leaned. Speed 80 km/h down. Brakes light. Finish straight. Arms wide. Kiss rainbow jersey.
“Seven years say best season. Again true,” he laughed. 2019 debut. Wins since. Giro, Tour, Worlds. Now this.
Looking Ahead to the Future
Pogacar eyes more. “Milano-Sanremo, Paris-Roubaix next big.” Wants all five Monuments. Has four kinds. Missing Roubaix win. Second 2025 close. Crashed sector 20. Puncture too. Bad luck.
But rest first. “Relax now. Happy end year.” Family time. Slovenia home. Mountains hike. No bike weeks. Eat mom food. Recharge.
Team plans 2026. Tour again? Giro? Vuelta triple? Young. Time. Rivals watch. Evenepoel, Vingegaard. Push hard. But Pogacar smiles. Loves race.
Cycling changes. Bikes lighter. Aero gains. Training data. Watts high. But Pogacar talent pure. Attacks win hearts.
Fans debate. Best ever? Merckx 525 wins. Pogacar 80. Long way. But Monuments fast. Age 27 Merckx had less.
Lombardia classic. 1905 start. Coppi king then. Now Pogacar. History links.
Race hard. 250 km almost. Legs dead end. But worth. Podium champagne. Photos. Hugs.
Pogacar signs autographs. Kids beam. Caps, bottles. Inspires.
Season wraps. Awards come. Velo d’Or maybe. Again.
