Tadej Pogačar Poised to Rewrite History: Can He Shatter More Records with Another Victory at Il Lombardia?
As the 2024 cycling season nears its close, all eyes are on Tadej Pogačar, the Slovenian phenomenon who has taken the sport by storm in recent years. With two Tour de France titles, several Monument victories, and countless other accolades already under his belt, Pogačar is widely regarded as one of the most talented riders of his generation. But as he prepares to line up for the prestigious Il Lombardia, the final Monument of the season, many are wondering: could Pogačar be on the verge of making even more history? A victory in the race, often dubbed the “Race of the Falling Leaves,” would not only add another Monument to his already impressive palmarès, but it could also see him breaking records that have stood for decades.
The Importance of Il Lombardia
Il Lombardia, the final Monument of the cycling season, is one of the sport’s most revered races. It is known for its punishing climbs, stunning scenery, and the prestigious nature of its victory. The race, which takes place in northern Italy, has a rich history dating back to 1905 and has been won by some of the greatest names in cycling, including Fausto Coppi, Eddy Merckx, and Michele Bartoli. Often referred to as “The Classic of the Dead Leaves” due to its autumn setting, Il Lombardia is renowned for its challenging parcours, featuring climbs like the Madonna del Ghisallo, Sormano, and the Civiglio, which push even the strongest riders to their limits.
For Tadej Pogačar, this race holds special significance. Not only has he already won the event twice—in 2021 and 2022—but a third victory would elevate him into an elite category of riders who have conquered this grueling race on multiple occasions. In fact, a win at the 2024 edition would see him become only the third rider in history to win Il Lombardia three times in a row, a feat that has not been achieved since the great Fausto Coppi won the race from 1946 to 1949.
Pogačar’s Rise to Stardom
To understand why a third victory in Il Lombardia would be so historic, it’s important to look at Pogačar’s meteoric rise in the world of professional cycling. Born in Komenda, Slovenia, in 1998, Pogačar was a prodigious talent from an early age. After making waves in the junior ranks, he turned professional with UAE Team Emirates in 2019 and quickly made his presence known. In his first season as a professional, he won the Tour of California and finished third in the Vuelta a España, signaling that he was a rider capable of excelling in stage races.
But it was in 2020 that Pogačar truly announced himself as a future legend of the sport. In a stunning turn of events, the then 21-year-old Pogačar won the Tour de France in his first attempt, defeating his fellow Slovenian Primož Roglič in a dramatic final time trial that will go down as one of the most memorable moments in the history of the race. Pogačar followed that up with another Tour de France win in 2021, cementing his place as the best stage racer of his generation.
Yet, what makes Pogačar so unique is his versatility. Unlike many other Grand Tour winners, Pogačar is not content to focus solely on three-week races. He has also proven himself to be a master of the one-day classics, winning two editions of the monument Liège-Bastogne-Liège, as well as his two victories at Il Lombardia. His aggressive, attacking style of racing has endeared him to fans and made him a rider to watch in any race he enters.
The Road to Il Lombardia 2024
The 2024 season has been another successful one for Pogačar, though not without its challenges. After a dominant spring campaign, in which he won his third consecutive Tour of Flanders and finished on the podium at Paris-Roubaix, Pogačar set his sights on reclaiming the Tour de France title. However, his long-time rival Jonas Vingegaard once again proved to be a formidable opponent, and Pogačar finished second behind the Danish rider.
Despite the disappointment of not winning the Tour, Pogačar’s season has been filled with triumphs, including a stunning victory at the Giro di Lombardia earlier in the year. As the season draws to a close, Il Lombardia presents one final opportunity for the Slovenian to cap off another extraordinary campaign with a major win.
In preparation for Il Lombardia, Pogačar has fine-tuned his form with a series of strong performances in the Italian autumn classics, including podium finishes at the Giro dell’Emilia and the Tre Valli Varesine. These races, which serve as key tune-ups for Il Lombardia, have shown that Pogačar is in excellent shape and ready to take on the grueling course.
Record-Breaking Opportunity
Should Pogačar emerge victorious at Il Lombardia in 2024, he would join an exclusive group of riders who have won the race three times in their career. But what makes this potential victory even more significant is the fact that it would be his third consecutive win at the event, putting him in the company of only two other riders: Alfredo Binda and Fausto Coppi. These two Italian legends are considered among the greatest cyclists of all time, and Pogačar’s inclusion in this group would further solidify his status as one of the sport’s all-time greats.
Furthermore, a victory in Il Lombardia would mark Pogačar’s sixth Monument win, placing him alongside other legendary riders who have excelled in the most prestigious one-day races. With victories in both the Tour of Flanders and Liège-Bastogne-Liège already on his palmarès, Pogačar has proven himself to be a master of the classics, and his dominance in a variety of races only adds to his legacy.
Perhaps more impressively, at just 26 years old, Pogačar is still in the early stages of his career. Should he continue on this trajectory, there is every reason to believe that he could one day surpass even the most decorated riders in history, including Eddy Merckx, who holds the record for the most Monument wins with 19. While such a feat may seem far off, Pogačar has already proven that he is capable of rewriting the record books, and there is no telling how many more victories he could accumulate in the years to come.
The Challenges Ahead
Of course, winning Il Lombardia will not be an easy task. The race always attracts a stellar field, and 2024 is no exception. Riders like Primož Roglič, who has also had a strong season and will be looking to add another Monument to his resume, will be serious contenders. The Italian riders, always motivated to perform well on home soil, will also pose a threat, with Giulio Ciccone and Andrea Bagioli among the riders to watch.
The course itself is another challenge. With over 4,500 meters of climbing packed into the race’s 250 kilometers, Il Lombardia is one of the toughest races on the calendar. The iconic climbs of the Madonna del Ghisallo and the Muro di Sormano will test the riders’ legs, while the technical descents and narrow roads will require precision and skill. The final climb up Civiglio, followed by the rapid descent into Como, has often proved decisive in recent editions of the race, and it is likely to be where the race-winning move is made once again.
Pogačar will need to be at his best if he is to claim victory, but if there is one rider who thrives under pressure and excels in the most challenging conditions, it is him.
What Lies Ahead for Pogačar
Whether or not he wins Il Lombardia, one thing is certain: Tadej Pogačar’s legacy is already secure. At such a young age, he has achieved more than most riders could dream of in their entire careers. But for Pogačar, the hunger for success remains, and he continues to push himself to new heights with each passing season.
As he looks to the future, there is no doubt that Pogačar has his sights set on more than just Il Lombardia. With a desire to win all five Monuments, as well as additional Grand Tours, the Slovenian has the potential to become one of the most decorated riders in the history of the sport. His versatility, resilience, and relentless drive make him a formidable competitor in any race he enters, and cycling fans can expect to see him at the top of the sport for many years to come.
In the short term, all eyes will be on him at Il Lombardia. Can Tadej Pogačar once again defy the odds, conquer the Italian climbs, and make history with a third consecutive victory? Only time will tell, but one thing is for certain: Pogačar is a rider destined to leave an indelible mark on the world of cycling.
