Imagine this: you're a professional cyclist, grinding through one of the toughest races of the year, and suddenly you find yourself on the podium alongside two of the sport's biggest stars. That's exactly what happened to Michael Storer at Il Lombardia, and it’s a moment he’ll never forget. But here’s where it gets even more surprising—this wasn’t just any podium; it was his first-ever Monument podium, a milestone that caught even him off guard.
Storer, racing for Tudor Pro Cycling under the guidance of retired legend Fabian Cancellara, secured a remarkable third-place finish behind cycling powerhouses Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) and Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-QuickStep). This achievement wasn’t just a highlight of his season—it was the highlight, a testament to his grit and determination.
The race itself was a masterclass in strategy and endurance. On the lower slopes of the decisive Passo di Ganda climb, a select group emerged, including Storer, Pogačar, Evenepoel, and a few others like Jay Vine, Isaac del Toro, and Paul Seixas (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale). And this is the part most people miss—it was here that Pogačar unleashed a blistering attack with 36km to go, leaving his rivals scrambling to respond.
While Evenepoel, Seixas, and Storer tried to chase, Pogačar’s lead ballooned to nearly a minute. Evenepoel eventually broke away from the chase group, distancing Seixas and del Toro, but Storer clung on, fighting tooth and nail to stay in contention. By then, though, Pogačar was long gone, leaving Evenepoel and Storer to battle for second place.
Storer admitted the final ascent of the Colle Aperto was a struggle, but crossing the line in Bergamo just 3:14 behind Pogačar was a victory in itself. Here’s the controversial part: while Pogačar’s dominance was undeniable, some argue that Evenepoel’s aggressive chase—rather than conserving energy for the final sprint—cost him the chance to challenge for the win. What do you think? Did Evenepoel play his cards right, or should he have held back?
This race wasn’t just about the winners; it was about the stories of perseverance, like Storer’s, that remind us why we love this sport. So, here’s a question for you: Who’s your underdog cyclist, and what’s their most memorable moment? Let’s keep the conversation going in the comments!
