Egan Bernal, on stage 16 of the Vuelta a España.
Photo: Ineos, via X
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The unstoppable Tadej Pogacarwinner of the last four Lombardy toursarrives at the Italian test as a great favorite for victory, which would allow him equal one more record with which to end a historic season.
So far, only the Belgian legend Eddy Merckx has conquered three cycling Monuments in the same season, but the young Slovenian could equal that record this Saturday in the “Dead Leaves Race”, which ends this year in Bergamo.
In April, the UAE team rider won the Tour of Flanders y Liège-Bastogne-Liègeafter finishing second in the Paris-Roubaix and, a month before, third in the Milan-San Remo.
Merckx managed to win a trio of Monuments four times in his careerand has a record of 19 victories in the prestigious one-day classics.
The Monuments of cycling are the toughest one-day races, mainly due to their length. The Giro de Lombardia and its 238 km between Como and Bergamo are good proof of this.
Going for the 10th Monument
Pogacar aspires to a 10th Monument in his record, which would place him third, only behind Merckx and from another Belgian, Roger De Vlaeminck (11).
The 27-year-old cyclist seems ready, after a final stretch of the season in which he has won the World Championship, the European Championship and, last Tuesday, the Three Varesino Valleys.
“Every year I tell myself it's my best season so far, but the next year comes and it's even better. But soon there will be a time when I won't be able to match it”, declared Pogacar after winning the European championship.
“I feel on cloud nine for every season I have done, and this year is no exception. I realize that I am lucky to be able to win all those races”.
Pogacar is used to breaking records – This year he became the first cyclist to win the Tour and the World Championship two seasons in a row – and he has another one in his sights.
Only Fausto Coppi has won the Giro di Lombardia five times (1946-1949, 1954), and until now no one has managed to do it consecutively.
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Egan Bernalwhich has been one of the most active names in the Italian classics, arrives with good feelings: it was fourth in the Giro dell'Emilia, staged a brave attack on the Tre valli varesine y was ninth in the Great Piedmont.
Next to him will be Nairo Quintana, Einer Rubio, Sergio Higuita y Germán Darío Gómeza Colombian bloc that will seek prominence against the dominance of the Slovenian.
Israel-Premier Tech, outside
Israel-Premier Tech was excluded for “public safety reasons.” The formation created by the Israeli-Canadian tycoon Sylvan Adams will not run Lombardyafter the race and the cycling team decided “by mutual agreement,” RCS, the company that organizes the test, announced on Thursday.
This cycling training has been the objective of pro-Palestinian protests in recent races, with several stages of the Vuelta a España, held last month, which even led to having to cut several stages.
The route of the Giro de Lombardia 2025
The 2025 edition of the Giro de Lombardia arrives with a route as beautiful as it is relentless: more than 4,400 meters of positive slope along a route that will test the endurance and technique of the best climbers in the peloton.
The race will start from Asheading to Cantuwhere cyclists will first face the classic climb to the Madonna del Ghisallothis time on the demanding side of Asso. Afterwards, the platoon will travel along the shore of Lake Como towards Leccobefore entering the province of Bergamoscene of the real mountain battles.
The main difficulties of the day will be concentrated in that section: Roncolawith slopes that touch 17%, followed by Berbenno, Dossena, Another one and the legendary Ganda Passa key point where the differences between the candidates for the title are usually defined. From its summit, a dizzying descent will lead towards Selvinoprelude to the last flat kilometers that lead to the iconic final climb to the Upper Town from Bergamo.
The closing, as always, will be a technical and visual spectacle: cobblestone ramps, narrow curves and the traditional entrance through Porta Garibaldibefore a final rapid descent towards the Porta Sant'Agostino. The finish line will be located on a slightly descending and then flat section, ideal for the bravest to attempt a last attack.
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