No easing down and no calm. Tadej Pogacar has won the Giro dell’Emilia, his first race as the new World Champion and rainbow jersey; and has done so in style has he attacked right on the first climb of the final circuit and won with no less than minutes over second place.
Benjamin Thomas, Roberto Carlos González, Ander Ganzabal, Alessio Martinelli and José Ramón Muñiz formed the day’s breakaway but this was not one that would survive long. Before entering the final circuit, Lidl-Trek has made the race quite hard and the group was caught with 47 kilometers to go.
Into the final circuit the pace was high, and right at the base of the first ascent Remco Evenepoel attacked. An Astana rider then made a small move followed by Tadej Pogacar and Matteo Jorgenson, and seeing that no-one else tried to follow, the rainbow jersey moved off the front and got the winning gap. The race for the win was over as the UAE Team Emirates rider would quickly build a very large gap, and behind only second place was available.
Evenepoel abandoned the race in very poor weather conditions; whilst Florian Lipowitz attacked one lap later to get an important gap that also grew as the group lacked organization. Pogacar rode to the finish comfortably, riding the circuit at his own pace and taking win number 24 of what is by many called the most successful season of a pro cyclist ever.
Lipowitz’ move proved unsuccessful in the final ascent, with Davide Piganzoli proving to be a big surprise as he attacked. The Italian rider then finished third on the day; whilst Tom Pidcock managed to follow his attack and then sprinting to second place.
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