Super Pogacar makes it two

The winner of the 116th Il Lombardia presented by Eolo, Tadej Pogačar, said: “Nibali and Valverde were looking very good for their last race. I can consider myself lucky to have shared the road with them. It’s an important win for me and for all the riders of my team who work so hard all year. I found today’s course different than last year’s because Civiglio is steeper. I was confident in my sprint but you never know after such a long and hard race. I was really tired but seeing the finishing line, I forgot the pain. However, I knew what I had to do. I just went for it. With 50 metres to go, I had no more doubts about my victory. I was very happy when I crossed the line. I was already in a great shape for the beginning of the season at the UAE Tour. It’s hard to compare the races but today or at Strade Bianche, I had my best day. I hope to continue my career this way, being competitive all year with good periods of rest in between the races.”

Runner-up, Enric Mas Nicolau, said: “It’s a sad day because it was the last race of Alejandro Valverde, but it’s also a happy day because I managed to arrive second behind Pogi [Tadej Pogačar] in a monument. I tried to beat him in the sprint. I tried before in the last two climbs. Step by step, we grow up. I’m really happy about that. I like one day races more and more. I like Liège-Bastogne-Liège, San Sebastian and Il Lombardia so I will try to win a Monument in the coming years.”

Third on the podium, Mikel Landa Meana, said: “Third is my place in Italy! I came third at Tirreno-Adriatico and the Giro d’Italia before this year. It makes me happy because it’s a good spot. I really love this race. I never came with the shape I wanted before today. This time I was in a very good shape. At some point I was hoping that Pogačar and Mas would watch each other and I could go away but they were stronger than me. I had the third place under control. It’s nice that two Spaniards make the podium the day Valverde quits.”