Quinn Simmons (Lidl Trek) may have been the hero of Il Lombardia 2025, but the American champion had to be content with 4th on a day when the sport's greatest ever athlete, Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates), mowed him down at will to claim victory.
It was the Slovenian's fifth victory in a row at the final monument of the year, equalling Fausto Coppi's tally of five Il Lombardia wins, though the Italian legend's triumphs were not consecutive.
In northern Italy today, the scenario was depressingly familiar for Pogačar's rivals. His team kept the early breakaway under control, then shredded the remains of the bunch before the Slovenian attacked solo and those he was with were simply unable to respond.
When Pogačar made his move with 37km to go, his team mate Jay Vine had just split the group on a climb, with those able to hold his wheel on the limit as they tried to stay in touch. And when Vine pulled over, Pogačar let rip with an attack.
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Not even Remco Evenepoel (Soudal QuickStep), who was on Pogačar's wheel when he went, tried to respond. Though Simmons was leading solo at the time, by 1:30, having attacked the early breakaway with 70km to go, Pogačar caught and dropped him within 2-3km of making his move.
Ben Healy (EF Education-EasyPost) was clearly not at his best today as he had been dropped by the remains of the bunch - down to a select group - by the time Vine set up Pogačar for his big attack. Healy's team mate, Archie Ryan, was spat out the back a little later.
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And of the three Irish riders in the race, only Eddie Dunbar (Team Jayco AlUla) stayed the course - placing 38th at 7:07 - on a day when world and European champion, Pogačar, owned the roads, as he has done so many times in recent years.
He finished solo, some 1:48 up on Evenepoel. Completing the podium was Michael Storer (Tudor Pro Cycling); the Australian enjoying one of the best days of his career. He was able to stay with Evenepoel the longest as the Olympic champion split the chasing group and was rewarded with 3rd, at 3:14.
And then came Simmons -the bravest of the day - in 4th place at 3:39, having spent 238km of the 241km race on the attack.
? And finally, he took time to enjoy it.
The @continentaltire #lastkm of this 2025 #ILombardia presented by @CA_Ita pic.twitter.com/nMrOSVJEom
— Il Lombardia (@Il_Lombardia) October 11, 2025
