Young Belgian concludes the season’s last Monument just outside the top 10.
Nine climbs, including a double ascent of the San Fermo della Battaglia, close to 5000 vertical meters, and 253 kilometers between Bergamo and Como – the menu of this year’s Il Lombardia was an appetising one and made for some hard racing, especially in the last 70 kilometers.
Madonna del Ghisallo was where the pace changed at the front of the peloton, moments after the original breakaway was brought back having enjoyed a maximum advantage of just five minutes despite more than 120 kilometers off front. The bunch was gradually reduced with each climb, leaving only 20-odd riders in the main group, before Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) and Enric Mas (Movistar) pulled clear.
The duo arrived on the finishing stretch with a clear margin over the chasers, and the Slovenian took the win. Ilan Van Wilder came home with a group some two minutes behind and sprinted to 13th place, his best result in three Monument starts, and an impressive one, considering the Belgian arrived here after a long season that saw him play a big role in our Vuelta a España success.
“The team did quite well. Ilan, after a very hard Vuelta, was there, Mikkel and Mauri also proved they can ride well in this kind of races, so we can’t complain given everything. That five per cent we missed this season in some races we missed again here, but we are confident we will come back here and fight for victory one day with these young guys”, said Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl sports director Tom Steels.
Photo credit: ©Tim De Waele / Getty Images
