Alejandro Valverde and Vincenzo Nibali end their careers at the Tour of Lombardy. Tadej Pogacar takes the win again.
When the two old stars Alejandro Valverde and Vincenzo Nibali said goodbye, the two-time Tour de France champion Tadej Pogacar won the Tour of Lombardy like last year.
The Slovenian took victory on Saturday after 253 kilometers from Bergamo to Como ahead of the two Spaniards Enric Mas and Mikel Landa. The 42-year-old Valverde (Spain), who ended his successful career at the autumn classic like Nibali (Italy), finished 1:24 minutes behind in a respectable sixth place. It was enough for Nibali to place 24.
Pogacar gave Mas no chance in the final sprint. The young star had previously dominated the race. On the Civiglio, the penultimate climb, Pogacar increased the pace so much with 19 kilometers to go that only Mas could follow. The four-kilometre climb with an average gradient of ten percent was also too steep for Nibali and Valverde. Pogacar was the first driver to win the cycling monument in his first two participations.
“It’s great to come back and win again. Winning the last race of the season – just great, unimaginable,” said Pogacar: “After the World Cup, I always felt better. Everything went perfectly.”
Valverde and Nibali celebrated
Before it started, Valverde and Nibali were celebrated at the start. The Spaniard and the Italian appeared together for the registration to the cheers of the cycling fans. Former world champion Valverde retires after 21 professional years at the age of 42. In addition to his world title, the man from Murcia had won the spring classic Liège-Bastogne-Liège four times, the Flèche Wallonne five times, the Vuelta once (2009) and numerous stages in the Tour and the Vuelta. However, he was also involved in the scandal surrounding doping doctor Eufemiano Fuentes.
Nibali, now 37 years old, is one of the few riders to have won all three Grand Tours (Tour, Giro, Vuelta). The Italian had also triumphed twice in the Tour of Lombardy and once in Milan-Sanremo.
“I’m sad to leave the peloton but I’ve enjoyed it. I’m happy to have ridden at such a high level. I’m happy that I’ve been able to ride for 21 years. I’ve achieved great things, now it’s time for me the young people,” said Valverde.
Race website
Source: Stern
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