Il Lombardia

Remco Evenepoel rides to second at Il Lombardia

Remco Evenepoel capped off an unforgettable season by finishing in the top three at Il Lombardia for the first time in his career. Soudal Quick-Step’s Belgian – who concluded third overall and won the white jersey at his Tour de France debut before going on to win two gold medals in Paris and another one at the Worlds in Zurich – put in a great ride Saturday afternoon, on the demanding roads around Lake Como.

Despite coming at the start of the 255km Italian event without too much expectations after what has been a wearing season that has seen him rack up more than 60 days of racing since February, Evenepoel produced a gutsy display from the moment the race was ignited on the brutal slopes of Colma di Sormano, with almost 50 kilometers to go. As Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) opened a gap on the peloton, Evenepoel remained calm and rode his own pace together with two other riders, who he then quickly dispatched as soon as the descent began.

The 24-year-old continued to extend his gap on the undulating roads left until the finish, which included one more climb – San Fermo della Battaglia – and concluded a solid and impressive second, more than a minute ahead of the first chasers, a result that felt like a victory for Evenepoel, given his complicated history with Il Lombardia.

“I am happy and grateful to be on the podium today. It feels a bit like a personal victory and I want to thank everyone who has supported me, from the team to my family. I didn’t have nice memories from the last time I raced Lombardia on the parcours from Bergamo to Como, back in 2020, but now to be the best of the rest makes me really proud.”

“When the attacks came on the steepest part of the Sormano I just did my own pace, then on the descent I opened a gap and immediately embarked on a long time trial until the finish and made sure of giving my best. I am delighted I could do this race without any problems or bad luck, which is something that gives me confidence to come back and try to win it. It’s a nice way to end my season”, said Remco after signing off Soudal Quick-Step’s 50th podium in a Monument.

Photo credit: ©Tim De Waele / Getty Images