Tadej Pogañar won Il Lombardia for 3 consecutive years and added further fame to his career by joining the record books of Alfredo Binda and Fausto Coppi. But he had to struggle to finish the 2023 season high, his happiness was shrouded in fatigue, his voice was tired, and his body was clearly ready to take a break from racing and training.

Pogagnar won Il Lombardy in the 2021 and 2022 2-seater sprints. As 2 years ago the race also ended in Bergamo, he made his move to the Paso di Ganda Climb at 32 km to the race.

When his biggest rival chased him, he attacked again on top of the climb to go solo, and then fought all the way to the finish, the chase of his rival

Despite some cramps, Pogagnar rode alone through a packed crowd on the climb to Bergamoalto and ran to the line.

"This was the most difficult of my 3 Il Lombardy victories. To finish alone is more than that, and to finish alone is emotional," explained the Emirates rider of the UAE team.

"The triple win is incredible. Il Lombardia is a dream race for any rider. It's the last big, big race of the season, the last monument. I'm really proud to have won it again 3 times in a row."

"You need everything to win. You need legs, fitness, the right mindset and a little luck.

Poganyal said he tried to "punch shit out of a spasm" that hurt him in the valley road to Bergamo. His determination to overcome muscle soreness and win Il Lombardy reflects his 2023 season.

He was dominant in the spring race but then a complex wrist fracture at Liege-Bastogne-Liege affected his training for the Tour de France, leaving him without form to fight Jonas Vingegaard for three weeks.

He fought a twitch at Il Lombardy just as he fought to hold the overall 2nd place in France and win the final mountain stage.

"It was a strange season with a broken wrist, but I think it was a really great season," Poganyar suggested, convinced that he deserved the offseason now.

"This victory is not a revenge for the problems of the season, but it is a relief," he said.

"I've been more and more confident in the last few days that I can win, so it was special to ride to the finish alone and win.

"I finished the season on high, so I can relax and enjoy life, try some new things in the winter, and then prepare for the new season I am happy.”