Tadej Pogačar capped off another historic season of success by winning Il Lombardia for the fifth consecutive time, an all-time record, while maintaining his characteristic humility.

Behind the podium of the Lombard classic, Ernesto Colnago arranged a call with Eddy Merckx, allowing the two cycling greats to exchange a few words, but Pogačar again downplayed the comparisons with the 'Cannibal'.

"I don't like these comparisons. It was nice talking to Eddy, but no one likes being constantly compared to someone else," the Slovenian said.

With 10 Monuments and 108 career victories, statistics seem to mean little to Pogačar: "When I was just a kid dreaming of turning pro, I didn't even know what a Monument was. We just dreamed of being as cool as the Tour de France riders and maybe one day being at the start. I feel incredibly lucky to have come this far."

The UAE Team Emirates phenomenon dedicated his victory to his teammate Rafał Majka, who ended his 15-year career at the Lombardia. In the final kilometer, Pogačar shouted "Grazie Rafa" to the camera, then lifted his teammate onto his shoulders during the team's celebrations.

"This victory is truly special," Pogačar concluded. "We all know that today was Rafa's last race. He's been my mentor, my big brother in cycling for the last five years. I wanted to win for him. He's had an incredible career; he's a rider all young riders should look up to."

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