Valverde fights his farewell and Pogacar wins in Lombardy

The Spaniard ends his career among the best

MADRID, 8 Oct. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The Spanish cyclist Alejandro Valverde (Movistar Team) finished sixth this Saturday in the Giro de Lombardía, the last 'monument' of the season in which he ended his long and successful career, where the Slovenian Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) won again ).

The Murcian, world champion in 2018 and with 133 professional victories, said goodbye as he wanted, fighting with the best at 42 years old. Valverde held out in the dispute until Pogacar imposed the law on him, and he fought the last sprint of the chasing group.

"Excited for the future; sadness, for leaving with this great level; and happiness, for the enormous work that the team has done today all day and being able to fight Mas and I until the end. They are 21 years of professional, great moments, and now, to enjoy", said Valverde, excited, when crossing his last goal.

Pogacar won his second consecutive Giro de Lombardía by beating Movistar Enric Mas in the sprint, after the tough 'monument' over 253 kilometres. Spaniard Mikel Landa (Bahrain Victorious) was third, 10 seconds behind the Slovenian. It was also the farewell to another classic of the peloton like the Italian Vincenzo Nibali (Astana), dropped 20 kilometers from the finish line.

Pogacar was only resisted by Mas, with attacks on the climbs to Civiglio and San Fermo, and a final rush in Como that gave the Slovenian victory. Landa tried to follow the duo in the lead without managing to fight the race but finally holding on to the podium.

The Slovenian avenged part of his defeat in the Tour de France and showed that he is still one of the greats, champion in Montreal in September and in Tre Valli Varesine this week. His team dominated the race, holding off Pogacar until his attack with 19 kilometers to go in Civiglio.

Nibali stayed there, but not a Valverde who could still have continued his career on his legs. The Murcian signed a strong test, winning the sprint from the chasing group to be sixth, for the seventh time among the six best in Lombardy and for 15th in all the 'monuments'.

Champion of the Vuelta a España in 2009, podium in both the Tour de France and the Giro de Italai, four times champion in Liège, five in the Flecha Wallona, ​​three Volta Catalunya, two Clásica San Sebastián and two Dauphiné, Valverde left his last bullet among the best and with the recognition of the entire platoon.