Tadej Pogačar has done it again, leaving the cycling world in awe as he obliterated records on the Passo di Ganda during the 2025 Il Lombardia. But here's where it gets controversial: Is Pogačar's dominance a triumph of athleticism or a sign that the competition is simply outmatched? Let’s dive into the details.
In a race that felt more like a coronation than a competition, Pogačar secured his fifth consecutive Il Lombardia victory, shattering the Passo di Ganda record in the process. With no serious challengers in sight, the Slovenian superstar relied on a powerhouse team that included Rafał Majka—in his final race—alongside Jay Vine, Isaac Del Toro, Pavel Sivakov, Adam Yates, and Domen Novak. Despite Pogačar’s unprecedented dominance this season, Red Bull–Bora–Hansgrohe graciously assisted in controlling the breakaway, ensuring a smooth ride for the eventual winner. UAE Team Emirates had meticulously rehearsed their mountain train strategy days earlier on the very same Passo di Ganda, and it paid off spectacularly.
Majka and Vine delivered relentless pulls, whittling down the favorites to a select few: Remco Evenepoel, Isaac Del Toro (who wisely stayed glued to Pogačar’s wheel without contributing), Paul Seixas, and Michael Storer. Meanwhile, Quinn Simmons, the lone survivor of the breakaway, put in a heroic effort up the road. Once Vine’s pull concluded, Pogačar unleashed an attack that no one dared—or could—follow.
And this is the part most people miss: Pogačar’s performance on the Passo di Ganda was nothing short of legendary. He climbed the ascent in a jaw-dropping 21:22 minutes at 7.22 ᵉW/kg, a staggering improvement from his 2023 time of 23:08 minutes at 6.34 W/kg. In 2021, he soloed the climb in 23:14 minutes at 6.40 W/kg, only to be caught by Fausto Masnada on the descent. Over the past two years, Pogačar has seemingly become impervious to fatigue, rendering him virtually unbeatable on such demanding courses.
If not for the COVID-19 disruptions in 2020, which forced Lombardia to coincide with the Critérium du Dauphiné, this could have been Pogačar’s sixth victory. His dominance in this race rivals that of Mondo Duplantis in pole vault—unstoppable and record-breaking. Remco Evenepoel, in his final race with Soudal Quick-Step, settled for second place, mirroring his finishes at the European and World Championships.
Here’s the burning question: Is Pogačar’s reign a testament to his unparalleled talent, or does it highlight a lack of competitive depth in modern cycling? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
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