Remco Evenpole (Sourdal-Quickstep) was in tears after crossing the finish line at Il Lombardia in Como. After exchanging a hug with his partner Oumi, who had made a surprise trip to Italy to meet him, the emotions of a long, painful, but very satisfying season poured out.

The Belgian finished second, not far behind Tadei Pogachar (UAE Team Emirates), but best of the rest. When Pogachar attacked on Colma di Solmano, he could not keep up with Pogachar, but he held his own, pulling away from Enric Mas (Movistar) and Renate van Eotveld (Lotto Doustony) and riding himself to the finish.

Four years ago, Evenepoel fell on the descent of the Solmano and jumped over a bridge into the riverbed. He broke his hip and suffered potentially serious injuries.

The emotion of the crash came back to him in the last kilometer of this year's Il Lombardia.

“Brama, this is for you, four years ago you saved my life,” Evenpoel said to coach Davide Bramati, who was again following him in the Sudar-Quickstep team car.

“There are always a lot of emotions when you finish second in such a hard but honorable race,” explained Evenpoel across the finish line.

“Second place here feels like a personal victory. Second place behind Taddeji is still a testament to my ability and what I have achieved this season.”

“I am happy with second place. I expected Taddej to attack on the steepest part of the Colmano, about six kilometers from the summit. There was nothing anyone could do about it and I didn't want to get blown up trying to follow him. I kept my pace and went over the summit with Mas and Van Yetveld, then went downhill alone.”

“It was hard to keep pedaling and it was like a long time trial.

Evenepoel gave him a 9 out of 10 for the 2024 season, citing his success and podium at the Tour de France, his double gold medal at the Paris Olympics, and his recovery from a broken collarbone in Iturria-Basque in April.

Evenepoel, no, apparently no one can beat Poguchar, but he will continue his efforts in 2025.

“From the Tour de France to now, the results have been the same since the summer,” Evenepoel said. Taddei's performance at Il Lombardia showed just how strong he is. I just had to give my best.”

Soudal-QuickStep will gather on October 21-25 to plan for 2025, but Evenepoel wants to enjoy his post-season vacation before thinking about 2025.

“I need to keep climbing for the Grand Tour. That's the first challenge. I want to enjoy the 2024 season, enjoy my vacation, and then think about 2025 before I think about 2025.”