The Unstoppable Tadej Pogačar: A Record-Breaking Performance at Il Lombardia
In a stunning display of dominance, Tadej Pogačar etched his name into the history books by claiming his fifth consecutive Il Lombardia victory. This time, the Passo di Ganda served as the stage for his extraordinary achievement, leaving the cycling world in awe.
But here's where it gets controversial... Pogačar's win was not just a simple victory; it was a complete destruction of the competition. With a powerful team backing him, including Rafał Majka in his farewell race, Jay Vine, and a host of other talented riders, Pogačar left no room for doubt.
The 2025 season's final monument was a one-man show. Despite Pogačar's previous dominant classics season, his rivals, including Red Bull–Bora–Hansgrohe, seemed content to let him have his moment. UAE's strategic training ride on Passo di Ganda days before the race proved to be a masterstroke, as Pogačar's mountain train worked seamlessly.
And this is the part most people miss: Pogačar's performance on Passo di Ganda was nothing short of extraordinary. He climbed the iconic ascent in an incredible 21:22 minutes, generating an astonishing 7.22 ᵉW/kg. To put that into perspective, in the 2023 Lombardia, he completed the same climb in 23:08 minutes at a still-impressive 6.34 W/kg. But it's not just about the numbers; it's the story behind them.
In the two years since his last Passo di Ganda ascent, Pogačar has evolved into an unstoppable force, immune to fatigue. His performance in October 2025 was likely the best ever seen in a race, leaving his rivals in his dust.
Imagine if 2020 hadn't been a COVID-affected year and Lombardia had taken place during the Critérium du Dauphiné. Pogačar's dominance in this race is akin to Mondo Duplantis' record-breaking pole vault performances. It's a level of consistency and excellence that leaves little room for debate.
Remco Evenepoel finished second, a familiar position for him in major championships, as he bowed out of Soudal Quick-Step with a valiant effort. But make no mistake, this race belonged to Tadej Pogačar.
So, what do you think? Is Pogačar's dominance a sign of a cycling legend in the making, or does it raise concerns about the competitiveness of the sport? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
