Tadej Pogacar rips up the race script with long-range attack at Tre Valli Varesine

Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) on the attack in Tre Valli Varesine
Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) on the attack in Tre Valli Varesine (Image credit: Getty Images Sport)

Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) ripped up the race script and went on the attack with 120km to go at Tre Valli Varesine race, with only a puncture stopping him from fighting for victory and confirming his growing form as Saturday's Il Lombardia nears.

The Tour de France winner admitted his head was spinning after a long, intense and successful season but he fought to win the sprint for third place in the pouring rain in Varese, giving UAE Team Emirates second and third on the final podium. Only Alessandro De Marchi (Israel Start-Up Nation) spoiled UAE Team Emirates' day out front, beating Davide Formolo in the two-up sprint after they stayed away from the quality chase group. Pogačar is combining the Tre Valli Varesine and Wednesday's Milano-Torino to give his form a final boost before Saturday.

Stephen Farrand
Head of News

Stephen is the most experienced member of the Cyclingnews team, having reported on professional cycling since 1994. He has been Head of News at Cyclingnews since 2022, before which he held the position of European editor since 2012 and previously worked for Reuters, Shift Active Media, and CyclingWeekly, among other publications.