Il Lombardia LIVE – Podium Cafe

Will the so-called straightforward race profile make a distinction?

First, let’s take a look at the profile:

That’s 4735 meters of climbing for you bub so “straightforward” is extra of a comparative time period right here. And positively it’s simpler that ordinary with the Ghisallo and Sormano climbs each taking simpler routes to the highest. Wags say that that is the simplest route since 2014 the place there was a small bunch dash with Dan Martin escaping by a second over Valverde, Costa, Wellens, SamSan, Albasini, Gil Bear, J-Rod, and Aru on a course with 4066 meters of climbing. Nonetheless, discover the names there: both critical climby guys or Classics riders who had been recognized for getting over some steep hills after they wanted to. And sure, that course was positively simpler than this one. https://www.procyclingstats.com/race/il-lombardia/2014/route/stage-profiles

One may additionally say that that 2014 prime 10 featured a greater set of climbers than what we’ll see right this moment. That’s a robust assertion I do know however outdoors of Pogacar I’m not seeing a bunch of fellows who can out climb him on their day. The plain level of departure for Pogacar with “departure” which means “that’s the final time we noticed him” being the Sormano climb which whereas simpler remains to be a beasty (although it does not have THAT descent): That climb is 12.9 kilometers lengthy, however a plateau pulls the typical share of climb down to six.4 p.c. Within the first ten kilometers, nonetheless, the typical is 6.9 p.c, earlier than the final kilometer and a half is as much as 9.1 p.c. If Pog is on type and he hasn’t attacked earlier than then this climb which peaks at 40km to go is the place’ it is at.

That final sentence has the phrase “if” doing a little work. I imply he had the shape at Emilia per week in the past however fall races do have a behavior of seeing fluctuating type for riders from one race to a different. Lombardy would possibly see a rider who we’re discounting know have nice mid-season type whereas others could don’t have anything within the tank. Take Remco, who’s discounting his possibilities and for certain his outcomes since successful the Worlds ITT haven’t been the very best. However he and everybody else who’s casually eager about biking will know that Pogacar will assault someplace at distance, both Sormano or the ascent in the direction of the Madonna del Ghisallo which tops out with 80 km to go. Or each. One can think about an assault at Ghisallo to winnow the sector down than one other at Sormano, and if want be, a last assault at Fermo. And keep in mind Pogacar has received this race twice with a dash on the end line, in 2022 beating Mas and 2021 beating Masnada.

Climbing as much as THAT can be fairly candy.

If Oliver Zaugg can win this race, who stands an opportunity?

Enric Mas was strong and has the endurance over such an extended course.
How about Davide Piganzoli for a storybook winner? He was third at Emilia, simply behind Pidcock who was a final minute unwilling scratch.
Michael Woods and Simon Yates have proven some type. Not on Pogs’ degree, however that’s true for everybody right here. They usually can climb.
Roger Adria has had a number of good ends in the final month and was a consider every race he participated in. Teammate Florian Lipowitz additionally appears sport.
Identical with Nielson Powless, winner of the a lot simpler Gran Piemonte however who could lastly be in form.
We’ll see Matteo Jorgenson someplace alongside the route.
Then there’s Remco. Perhaps he has sufficient type? Perhaps he can’t be freaked out by Pog’s assaults to journey his personal race?
Tom Skujins? Positive. David Gaudu? Why not? Ben Healy? Sounds good!
I’ll take your Lennert Van Eetvelt and lift you a William Junior Lecerf.
How about Marc Hirschi, quickly to be on Tudor? That will be attention-grabbing.

What Pog is aiming for

In order that leaves us with Pog. he has three wins which ties him for probably the most wins by a non-Italian with Sean Kelly and Henri Pelissier. For the reason that millennium started solely Damiano Cunego has additionally received thrice. Fausto Coppi has the report variety of wins with 5. 4 of these have been in a row so with a win right this moment Pog will equal Coppi there and subsequent yr he’d be gunning for win #5. Doing that can additional his want to be ranked with the very best all-time so there’s that.