Cycling: Thibaut Pinot (Groupama-FDJ) won the Tour of Lombardy. The Frenchman proved to be significantly stronger than the competition at the traditional one-day race in Italy. As the last companion, he was able to shake off last year's winner Vincenzo Nibali (Bahrain Merida).
Thibaut Pinot manages to end the season perfectly
After a difficult season, the year from Thibaut Pinot (Groupama-FDJ) still found a grand finale. After a strong performance at the World Championship in Innsbruck, the Vuelta a Espana and his victory at Milano-Torino, the Frenchman has now won Il Lombardia - and thus celebrated the greatest success of his career. Il Lombardia traditionally marks the end of the important cycle races of a calendar year. The "Race of the Falling Leaves" has a particularly high status as one of five monuments of cycling. It is the only Big Five competition that takes place in autumn - the only monument not in spring. All the more impressive that Thibaut Pinot came out on top after a season plagued by many setbacks on this extremely difficult course. Finally the Frenchman had to give up the Giro d'Italia on the penultimate stage while lying in wait. Because he was suffering from pneumonia, he even missed the Tour de France.
World champion Alejandro Valverde wasn't having his best day
At 10:20 a.m. the pros got on their bikes in Bergamo. After an already long and exhausting season, they had a tough 241 kilometers ahead of them. However, the preliminary decision should only be made by the Muro di Sormano around 50 kilometers from the finish in Como. When the LottoNL-Jumbo team picked up the pace, the already decimated field of riders finally burst apart. The goal was clear: drive for captains Primoz Roglic and George Bennett. Roglic also pulled away shortly afterwards, but behind them it didn't slow down any more, even without the yellow and black locomotives. Got this too Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) felt. The newly crowned world champion could no longer keep up with an increase in pace. Instead formed Primois Roglic (LottoNL Jumbo), Vincenzo Nibali (Bahrain Merida), Egan Bernal (Sky) and that one Thibaut Pinot (Groupama-FDJ) a quartet that can no longer be completely caught up with.
Eventually even the Shark of Messina could no longer follow
Even if appearances are often deceptive in cycling, it quickly became apparent that Thibaut Pinot felt extremely strong. The Frenchman kept picking up the pace, following attacks with ease and taking on most of the lead work. Not surprisingly, all companions gradually had to say goodbye to his rear wheel. As the last competitor, he shook last year's winner Vincenzo Nibali from, who had to admit defeat in the last few kilometers and secured second place in front of the first chasing group. From this sprinted Dylan teuns (BMC) on the podium. The star of the day, however, was Thibaut Pinot. After Laurent Jalabert in 1997, a Frenchman wins Il Lombardia for the first time again - and after such a difficult year everyone would begrudge him this victory.
Thibaut Pinot has time to showboat his way in and claim @Il_Lombardia the biggest win of his career! pic.twitter.com/JB1TAhwM4S
- Eurosport UK (@Eurosport_UK) 13 October 2018