There are only three days left until the Lombardia , the last monumental classic of the season, and Tadej Pogacar's rivals already seem almost resigned to yet another showdown by the new world champion.

It will be very difficult to find a rider who can keep up with the Slovenian, who has declared that he is still in great shape and wants to close out a sensational 2024 with a bang. Furthermore, Pogacar will be supported by a top-level team including names such as Hirschi, A.Yates and Sivakov.

With a lighter route than usual, Van der Poel could have been among the great protagonists, but the Dutchman himself announced his absence a few days ago; the same goes for Roglic who, in turn, withdrew in the final hours .

The most likely challenger remains Evenepoel who, in all honesty, has declared that he is not starting as the favourite with his Soudal Quick-Step, but that he wants to honour the last major race of the season.

Much more charged instead Enric Mas who announced his intention to conquer Il Lombardia and believes he can beat Pogacar, both thanks to the support of his team and for his climbing skills that are very well suited to the route with the finish in Como.

Objectively, it will be really difficult to find someone capable of denying Pogacar a poker of consecutive victories at the Classic of the Dead Leaves; it will take a real miracle or a feat to be able to beat the Slovenian who has, in fact, only lost on two occasions this year: to Narvaez in the first stage of the Giro and to Vingegaard in the eleventh of the Tour.