A 5-star Pogačar, the numbers of a phenomenon
# Tadej Pogačar: A Statistical Marvel in Cycling’s Elite
Tadej Pogačar continues to astound the cycling world with his remarkable achievements, further solidifying his status as one of the sport’s premier athletes. This year’s Il Lombardia marked his fifth victory in the prestigious event, allowing him to match the legendary Fausto Coppi’s all-time record. Celebrating this extraordinary milestone, we turn to the statistics that define this phenomenon.
In the latest race, Pogačar showcased his signature prowess by attacking on the Passo di Ganda, effectively leaving his competitors behind as he soloed to a resounding victory in Bergamo. Once again, Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-QuickStep) found himself unable to counter Pogačar’s formidable attack, finishing in second, while Michael Storer (Tudor) earned a commendable third place.
The win at Il Lombardia in 2025 marked Pogačar’s 20th victory of the season, a stark reminder of his dominance, especially considering he secured 25 wins the previous year. It’s also significant as it represents his 10th Monument Classic triumph, with five of those victories occurring at the iconic Classic of the Falling Leaves.
Notably, 2025 has become a landmark year for Pogačar. This season, he has achieved three Monument wins, a feat matched previously only by cycling great Eddy Merckx in the years 1969, 1971, 1972, and 1975. Furthermore, Pogačar has made history as the first rider ever to clinch Il Lombardia twice while wearing the rainbow jersey. His versatility is further exemplified by his unique record of winning both the Tour de France and Il Lombardia in the same season on three separate occasions: 2021, 2024, and 2025.
Since 2021, Pogačar has been undefeated on the Il Lombardia podium, taking the top step each time he has participated. Impressively, his last 15 victories in one-day races have been accomplished through solo efforts, with his last sprint victory dating back to the 2023 Flèche Wallonne.
His prowess extends beyond individual races; Pogačar is the first rider to earn five Monument podiums within a single season, surpassing the previous record of four held by Sean Kelly from 1986. At just 27 years and 20 days old, he now boasts 10 Monuments, quickly closing in on Eddy Merckx’s record of 12 Monuments at a similar age. Merckx achieved 15 wins before turning 28, leaving fans to wonder if Pogačar can keep pace with the greatest of all time.
As the cycling world acknowledges his extraordinary contributions, we can only hope to relish in the presence of such talent. For now, we bid farewell to Tadej Pogačar as he takes a well-deserved break, eagerly anticipating his return to the racing scene. “Have a good off-season, Tadej!”
