DECRYPTION – Brand new world champion, Tadej Pogacar will be the big favorite for the <a href="https://www.archysport.com/2022/03/remco-evenepoel-receives-a-fine-and-driving-ban-from-a-police-judge-he-acknowledges-his-mistake/" title="Remco Evenepoel receives a fine and driving ban from a police judge: "He acknowledges his mistake"”>Tour of Lombardy this Saturday. Behind the Slovenian, several outsiders hope to play spoilsport.
252 kilometers and more than 4,800 meters of elevation gain: this is what awaits the riders on the Tour of Lombardy this Saturday. Given the profile, it’s difficult to imagine a rider other than world champion Tadej Pogacar raising his arms at the finish to clinch his 24th victory of the year. Especially since the Slovenian will be able to count on quite an armada to support him: Rafal Majka, Pavel Sivakov, Marc Hirschi and Adam Yates. But the peloton is capable of giving us surprises and several racing events could disrupt the wearer of the rainbow jersey. They are a few outsiders despite the absences of Roglic and Alaphilippe hoping to prevent the Slovenian from winning the classic of the dead leaves for the fourth time in a row.
Remco Evenepoel, Prime Minister outsider
At 24 years old, Remco Evenepoel is in excellent shape. Recently world champion in the road time trial, the Belgian reached a milestone by winning Olympic gold in Paris. Even if he showed his limits compared to the Slovenian in the last Tour de France, the Belgian is not in the habit of admitting defeat. His riding qualities could allow him to isolate himself and take the Slovenian ultra favorite from behind. Evenepoel has already tamed two classics, that of San Sebastian three times (2019, 2022, 2023) and Liège Bastogne Liège, twice (2022, 2023). In Lombardy, the leader of the Soudal Quick Step has never done better than 9th place (in 2023).
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Enric Mas, the anti-classic profile
Enduring runner, Enric Mas is the man for the end of the seasons. Little known for the classics, the Tour of Lombardy is apart. As proof, the experienced 29-year-old runner finished just behind Pogacar during the 2022 edition. On this classic, the course may be suitable for a pure climber. Good third in the last Vuelta, Enric Mas, leader of the Movistar team, was strong in the last Worlds by securing a powerful 8th place.
Matteo Jorgenson et son armada jaune
Momentum is an important element at this point of the year. And at 25, Matteo Jorgenson is in good shape, having undoubtedly had his best season. The American won Paris-Nice, finished 2nd in the Critérium du Dauphiné, 8th in the Tour de France and 9th in the road race at the Olympic Games. In addition, he will be able to count on a solid team to support him, with Tiesj Benoot, Wilco Kelderman, Steven Kruijswijk and Jan Tratnik at his side. Experienced men in an armada, the Jumbo Visma, which is probably superior to that of Pogacar’s UAE Emirates, even if individually the Slovenian is stronger than Jorgenson. These qualities as a puncher-climber should allow the young American to stand out on the Tour of Lombardy course.
Bardet the big tricolor rating
To finish in style, Romain Bardet dreams of winning the Tour of Lombardy and the roads he loves. Despite Alaphilippe’s package, the Blues will have a good card to play in Italy. At almost 34 years old, on his last classic in Lombardy, the Auvergnat will undoubtedly be keen to show off in a race where he already took fourth place in 2016. Bardet will end his career at the next Critérium du Dauphiné. For his last professional pedal strokes, the leader of the DSM training showed that he still had resources. Winner of the first stage and yellow jersey in the last Tour de France after a great solo rush, he also finished second in the last Liège Bastogne Liège. The French climber has the qualities to offer himself a new podium on a classic and why not raise his arms to join Thibaut Pinot, the last French winner on the Tour of Lombardy (in 2018), on the list of winners.
