Tadej Pogacar defends Il Lombardia title against Eric Mas

Pogacar, Mas and Landa hit the final climb of Battaglia with a 40-second lead after the race exploded 20km from the finish line

Mikel Landa came third, his first monument podium.

Defending champion Pogacar's UAE Emirates team set a crushing pace in the final 20 km. Enris Mas was first to attack taking Pogacar and Landa with him.

The pace was too much for Mikel Landa who was dropped by the pair with 6km to go.

Enris Mass attacked again towards the summit of the final short climb, with Pogacar counter attaxking to stamp his authority on the race.

The pair locked on each others’ wheels in the finale, ready for an all out head-to-head sprint, with Pogacar just edging out Mas on the finsih line.

Vincenzo Nibali and Alejandro Valverde closed decade-long careers at the Italian monument. The two veterans stayed in contention on the brutal decisive Civiglio climb before being dropped 20km from the finish.

VIDEO: 2022 Il Lombardia Highlights

2022 Il Lombardia Top 10

1  SLO POGACAR Tadej UAE Team Emirates 500 06:21:22
2  ESP MAS Enric Movistar Team 400 + 00
3  ESP LANDA Mikel Bahrain Victorious 325 + 10
4  COL HIGUITA Sergio BORA-hansgrohe 275 + 52
5  ESP RODRIGUEZ Carlos INEOS Grenadiers 225 + 52
6  ESP VALVERDE Alejandro Movistar Team 175 + 01:24
7  NED MOLLEMA Bauke Trek-Segafredo 150 + 01:24
8  FRA MOLARD Rudy Groupama-FDJ 125 + 01:24
9  FRA BARDET Romain Team DSM 100 + 01:24
10  GBR YATES Adam INEOS Grenadiers 85 + 01:26