Tadej Pogacar celebrates on the podium after the last stage of the Tour de France in Paris on Sunday. AP

Gulf Today Report

On his debut at the famous ‘Il Lombardia’, 23 year-old Tadej Pogacar capped a stunning year by taking a memorable victory in a two-man sprint with Fausto Masnada (Deceuninck-Quickstep) on the trip from Como to Bergamo, 239 km.

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For the second time this season UAE Team Emirates once again dominated a Classic Monument, thus closing a dazzling 2021 which is marked by Liege-Bastogne-Liege in the spring, the Tour de France in the summer and the success at Il Lombardia in the autumn.

Pogacar set out his intent in trademark fashion, attacking 36.6 km from the finish while the select group of big names was facing the Ganda Pass.

No opponent was able to hold the wheel of the Slovenian, who was joined by Fausto Masnada (Deceuninck-Quickstep) on the descent.

The duo, led by Pogacar built up an advantage of more than 1 minute ahead of the harsh ascent of Colle Aperto. A couple of digs from the UAE Team Emirates rider failed to drop Masnada, who, however, could do nothing in the two-man sprint against Pogacar’s quick turn of pace.

“I’m speechless, it’s crazy to be here to celebrate this success at the end of a season like this,” said Pogacar.

“The race was very tough, even before I made my move. When I attacked, I was sure someone would come with me. Downhill Masnada joined me, I knew he would gain on me in the technical part of the descent from Passo Ganda, since he knows these roads very well, and I knew that he would not collaborate with me when he reached me, but I still had the legs and the drive to beat him in the sprint,” he added.