THEMOVE Podcast: 2025 Il Lombardia Breakdown
Date: October 11, 2025
Host: Lance Armstrong (absent in this episode)
Panel: Spencer Martin, Johan Bruyneel, George Hincapie
Main Theme: A tactical and historical breakdown of Il Lombardia 2025, analyzing Tadej Pogačar’s record-breaking fifth consecutive win, team dynamics, the state of modern cycling, and what comes next for rivals and the sport itself.
Overview
In this episode, THEMOVE dives deep into the 2025 Il Lombardia, focusing on Tadej Pogačar's continuing dominance with his fifth straight victory in the race—marking his tenth career Monument at just 27. The team discusses the effectiveness of UAE Team Emirates, tactical misfires by rival teams, the statistical uniqueness of Pogačar’s success, and the shifting generational dynamics within professional cycling. Rich anecdotes, candid speculation, and hard numbers make for an insider’s look at contemporary pro cycling.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Tadej Pogačar’s Monumental Achievement
- Win Recap (00:50): Pogačar attacked solo on the Passo di Ganda, with his UAE team setting the perfect stage. He beat out Remco Evenepoel (2nd), Michael Storer (3rd), Quinn Simmons (4th), and Isaac Del Toro (5th).
- Pogačar now has five consecutive Lombardia titles and ten Monuments at age 27.
Memorable Quotes
- Spencer Martin [00:50]: “Gets his fifth straight Lombardia win, tenth career Monument at just 27 years old.”
- Johan Bruyneel [07:49]: “UAE doesn’t need to make agreements with anybody. They have three guys in the top 10 today.”
2. Failed Tactics by Rival Teams
- Red Bull-BORA’s Strange Strategy (04:47, 05:54): Criticism was leveled at Red Bull-BORA for collaborating with UAE to control the race rather than trying to isolate Pogačar—a baffling tactic by consensus.
- Johan Bruyneel [05:54]: “What the fuck was Red Bull-BORA doing today? …They started collaborating with UAE…maybe Roglič felt great, but you don’t know that at the start.”
3. Quinn Simmons’ Ride of the Day
- All-In Attacking (08:12-10:43): Simmons attacked from the start, stayed in the break, and finished 4th after six hours out front—considered the most impressive ride behind Pogačar.
- Johan Bruyneel [10:10]: “The rider who attacked at kilometer zero today finished fourth in Lombardia. That’s quite something.”
- George Hincapie [10:17]: “That was the ride of the day…to hang on to fourth place with a team like UAE pulling full gas behind…incredible last part of the year for Quinn Simmons.”
Timestamps
- Performance metrics: [08:57] (Simmons’ breakaway: avg. 49.8 km/h, 380w avg, 950w max)
- Climbing performance: [10:43] (12 km climb averaging 450w)
4. Remco Evenepoel’s Dilemma and the Pogačar Problem
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Remco’s Adaptation (11:00+): Evenepoel rode defensively, yet still couldn’t match Pogačar. Panel agrees he’s doing what he can with his current resources.
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George Hincapie [12:09]: “He just hasn’t been able to keep up with Pogačar…he has to start thinking outside the box.”
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Strategic Suggestions (12:48): Try to isolate or force Pogačar to attack early and risk running out of energy—though now, even that’s under control.
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Johan Bruyneel [12:48]: “Pogačar, on top of his form, his strongest—his worst enemy is himself…try to isolate him early and hope he’ll be overconfident and runs out of gas…But it seems that now, especially this year, he has that exercise under control.”
5. UAE Team Emirates’ Superiority
- Team Depth (22:33): The UAE lineup allowed for such dominance; their supporting climbers rival leaders on other teams.
- Adam Yates’ Bad Day Is Inconsequential (25:00): UAE is so deep even poor days by top riders don’t matter.
- George Hincapie [22:59]: “Perfection. You have guys like Sivakov, Micah, Jay Vine—these are all team leaders in their own right. It's almost unfair.”
Notable Moment
- Rafael Majka’s Salute (14:49): On his final race, Pogačar takes time mid-climb to salute a retiring teammate—while everyone else is on the limit.
6. Financial Inequality & Salary Cap Discussion
- Is the budget gap ruining competition? (25:29)
- George Hincapie [25:34]: “There’s no doubt the budget of UAE is affecting the teams and the competition and the way races are raced.”
7. Historical Context and Pogačar’s Palmares
- Unique Records (17:37): Only rider besides Coppi (but first to do five in a row) with five Lombardia wins, first two-time consecutive WC/Lombardia double, ten Monuments (trailing only Merckx and De Vlaeminck), podium at all Monuments in one season (never done before).
- Johan Bruyneel [19:43]: Lists every major race Pogačar has won and the four remaining targets (Vuelta, San Remo, Roubaix, Olympics).
Timestamps
- Pogačar records extended: [17:37 - 21:40]
8. Younger Generation Surging
- No top-10 finishers over 30.
- Paul Seixas (19), Isaac Del Toro (21) both top 7, further showing generational shift.
- George Hincapie [30:24]: “Have we reached ‘no country for old men’ status in the World Tour?”
9. Physical, Mental, & Motivational Demands
- Older riders struggle late in the season due to diminished motivation and hunger.
- Pogačar’s continual motivation and “cannibal” attitude noted as extraordinary.
- Johan Bruyneel [31:06]: “It gets more difficult with age, especially at the end of the season to stay motivated…how hungry you are to still train.”
10. Training Evolution
- Modern pros race less and use highly specific training over stage races as prep.
- George Hincapie [33:22]: “Now they’re doing their efforts, fueling themselves. Everything’s dialed in, planned out.”
Notable Quotes & Moments
- Johan Bruyneel [37:45]: “It must be a very peaceful feeling for a guy like Pogačar that he knows all the people around him are the best in the market. You get on your bike and, you know, you say, okay, I know I’m good, everything else is the best. So let’s go.”
- Johan Bruyneel [49:34]: “Since I started racing myself and through all the years...there’s never been anybody so dominant on all levels as Tadej Pogačar in the last 50 years.”
- George Hincapie [50:27]: “Maybe it gets a little boring after a while…but at the same time, you have a once in 100-year rider that we’re able to witness. In that sense, it's pretty cool.”
Looking Forward: Can Pogačar Be Stopped?
How Will the Streak End?
- Likely scenario: Pogačar loses motivation or burns out before rivals catch him physically.
- Johan Bruyneel [46:52]: “I think the guy who ends it is Pogačar himself. It’s when he’s going to lose motivation and be burned out.”
- George Hincapie [46:14]: “These young people—Del Toro, Seixas—they’re still getting better and better. Pogačar is at the upper edge of his 20s…you think it’d be hard to imagine he can continue to improve, but these younger guys are coming.”
Remaining Challenges
- Milan-San Remo & Paris-Roubaix seen as the final frontier. Panel agrees San Remo will be toughest due to tactical unpredictability.
- George Hincapie [41:03]: “We’ll probably, if he does in fact want to win San Remo, see that type of tactic next year…already on the Cipressa, favorable wind, all-out assault.”
- Vuelta a España and Olympic road race seen as likely for Pogačar if/when he targets them.
Final Reflections
- Is this dominance “good” for cycling? Panel is split: it may make things predictable, but witnessing a historic athlete is a privilege.
- Spencer Martin [51:29]: “There are these once-in-century athletes and you just have to enjoy it because it will be over.”
- Most Impressive Season? Panel says yes: Pogačar podiumed all Monuments, won three, won the Tour, and the World Championships—a feat never accomplished before.
Future Stars: Who’s Next?
- Both Hincapie and Bruyneel pick Isaac Del Toro as the most likely “next big thing,” noting his skill in both stage races and one-day events ([54:31]).
Key Timestamps
- Race analysis & team tactics: 00:00–14:49
- UAE’s team discussion: 22:30–25:30
- Historical comparison/stats: 17:37–21:40
- Youth surge/no over-30s in top 10: 29:23–31:54
- Physical/genetic domination of Pogačar: 31:54–37:45
- Future of the sport, “no country for old men”: 29:23, 46:13–47:38
- ‘Is this good for cycling?’ debate: 50:27–51:29
- Closing stats and shoutouts: 52:36–56:23
Episode Tone & Takeaway
A mix of awe and incredulity pervades the discussion; while the panel laments the lack of suspense around Pogačar’s supremacy, they also marvel at witnessing a peerless era of excellence, comparing it to other “once-in-a-generation” athletes across sports. The future hinges on generational change, financial reforms, or Pogačar’s own will, but for now, fans are encouraged to simply “enjoy the ride.”
For even more, check the show notes and join upcoming Q&A sessions with the THEMOVE crew.