A quiet finale in Lombardy
**Title: Tadej Pogacar Seals Fifth Il Lombardia Victory as Groupama-FDJ Struggles in Finale**
This past Saturday, the streets of Bergamo served as the backdrop for the concluding event of the professional cycling season—the iconic Il Lombardia. Renowned for its challenging course, this year’s race culminated in a remarkable fifth consecutive victory for Tadej Pogacar, while the Groupama-FDJ team faced a disappointing finish, unable to contend for a top spot.
The race, which has become a staple in the cycling calendar, returned to Bergamo, echoing the memories of Thibaut Pinot’s emotional farewell the previous year. The course included several demanding climbs, starting with the legendary Madonna del Ghisallo, followed by the ascents of Passo della Crocetta (11.7 km at 5.8%), Zambla Alta (2.5 km at 7%), and the Passo di Ganda (9.3 km at 7.1%). These segments were anticipated to be pivotal before culminating in the final hill (1.3 km at 7%) through the streets of Bergamo.
In a bid to assert their presence early in the race, Groupama-FDJ planned to position a rider at the front. However, an unexpected breakaway at the very beginning caught them off guard. “The breakaway surprised us because it went at km 0,” stated Benoît Vaugrenard. The ensuing scenario mirrored past races, dominated by UAE Team Emirates. “For us, it became a waiting race, in which it was difficult to have an impact,” Benoît acknowledged.
As the race progressed, the fast-paced early hills took their toll, and by the midpoint, only about 80 riders remained in the peloton, trailing behind Quinn Simmons, the breakout leader. With 80 kilometers left, the situation worsened for Groupama-FDJ. “The guys weren’t having a great day, and with 80 kilometers to go, only Rudy was left up there,” Benoît lamented. “Clement was caught in a crash early on, and Guillaume is still getting back on track after his injury. It was a race for climbers, a very hard one, and we weren’t strong enough as a team today.”
Despite a valiant effort, Benoît and Rudy Molard found themselves outmatched when Pogacar launched his decisive attack on the Passo di Ganda—a move that ultimately led to his solo victory nearly forty kilometers later. Molard crossed the finish line seven minutes behind Pogacar, claiming a lackluster thirtieth place. Reflecting on the day, Benoît expressed his disappointment: “It’s a disappointing day. We knew we weren’t the favorites at the start, and far from it, but we were hoping for better; we were aiming for a top 10 finish. It’s a day to forget.”
As the cycling community looks ahead to the 2026 season, this year’s Il Lombardia stands as a testament to Pogacar’s dominance and a reminder of the challenges that await teams like Groupama-FDJ in their quest for improvement.
