Last year, Tadej Pogacar became the first man in 38 years to complete cycling’s fabled triple crown. That came alongside winning two of the five monuments (making him the only man to achieve that feat alongside the triple in the same year) for a total haul of 25 victories. It was a generational season, the kind that will go down in sporting folklore, by a generational talent.
Then came this year. No triple crown. But instead, a fourth Tour de France title, taking him equal with Chris Froome. A defence of the rainbow jersey – making him the first man to win the Tour-worlds double in two successive years – followed a week later by a maiden European crown. A record-equalling fifth victory at Il Lombardia, and a record-setting fifth consecutive win.
