The 2025 cycling season is about to wrap up. This Saturday marks the final big race, the Tour of Lombardy, held in Italy. It’s the last major ‘monument’ of the year. All eyes will be on two familiar rivals: Tadej Pogacar and Remco Evenepoel. They’ve clashed before, notably at the World Championship in Rwanda and the European Championship in France. Pogacar took home wins in both of those exciting contests.
For Tadej Pogacar, this race isn’t just about another victory. He’s chasing a piece of history. Pogacar aims to match Fausto Coppi’s incredible record of five Tour of Lombardy triumphs. Coppi achieved his wins in 1946, 1947, 1948, 1949, and 1954. Pogacar secured his fourth win last year, putting him alongside another Italian legend, Alfredo Binda, who also had four victories in 1925, 1926, 1927, and 1931.
These two powerhouses, Pogacar from Slovenia and Evenepoel from Belgium, are the clear favorites for the demanding 241-kilometer race. But cycling is rarely just a two-man show. Other strong riders will be waiting to seize any opportunity. They hope the top two will mark each other too closely.
One name to watch is Isaac del Toro from Mexico. He’s been in fantastic form, having recently claimed victories right there in Italy. While he might ride in Pogacar’s shadow, he offers a solid Plan B for the Emirates team. His teammate, Jay Vine, also provides another strong option for the squad.
Plenty of other talented riders are eager to make their mark. This group includes Primoz Roglic from Red Bull, Thomas Pidcock representing Q33, and Oscar Onley from Picnic. We also have Christian Scaroni of Astana, Romain Grégoire for Groupama, Mattias Skjelmose racing for Lidl, and Ben Healy from EF. Each could surprise on the day.
What about the Portuguese contingent? With most riders already enjoying their off-season, two will still line up. Rui Costa, also with EF, and Afonso Eulálio, riding for Bahrain, are set to participate in the Tour of Lombardy. They’ll represent their nation in this final monument.