The 104th Three Valleys of Varese belongs to Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates – XRG). The world and European champion, already winner of this competition in 2022, crossed the finish line on Via Sacco in Varese with his arms raised after a 22-kilometer solo breakaway in which he "inflicted" a 45" gap on the peloton led by Albert Withen Philipsen (Lidl - Trek). Third place went to Julian Alaphilippe (Tudor Pro Cycling Team).

THE RACE - Starting from Busto Arsizio and contested over a total distance of 200 kilometers, the race was characterized in its first part by a breakaway of five riders: Andrew August (INEOS Grenadiers), Kevin Colleoni (Intermarchè - Wanty), Lorenzo Milesi (Movistar Team), Davide Ballerini (XDS Astana Team) and Mattia Bais (Team Polti VisitMalta). Emerging from the group after about ten kilometers, these attackers had a maximum advantage of about 3'10". The group led by UAE Team Emirates, Lidl Trek, and Tudor controlled the situation and, at the eightieth kilometer, accelerated, getting much closer to the escapees: under the impulse of the Swiss formation directed by Matteo Tosatto, the gap between the breakaway and the chasers was reduced to 1'10".

A dozen kilometers later, the quintet lost an element: Kevin Colleoni dropped from the leading group and after a short time was caught by the group from which Enzo Paleni (Groupama - FDJ) set off in pursuit of the breakaway. The Frenchman was not very lucky and a few kilometers later was back in the ranks, as was Davide Ballerini who, after leaving his adventure companions, was reabsorbed by the group.

The race changed dramatically when Egan Bernal (INEOS Grenadiers) burst out of the group and quickly rejoined the head of the race. A few kilometers later, the breakaway group from the first hour disintegrated, and only the Colombian Giro and Tour winner and the local rider Lorenzo Milesi (Movistar), author of an applause-worthy performance, remained at the front. Many riders went in pursuit: first Gianluca Brambilla (Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team) with Michael Storer (Tudor Pro Cycling Team), then Gianmarco Garofoli (Soudal Quick-Step), and again Quinn Simmons (Lidl - Trek). The American reached the leaders, and at the sound of the bell, Afonso Eulàlio (Bahrain - Victorious), Victor Lafay (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Team), and Isaac del Toro (UAE Team Emirates - XRG) moved from the group, with captain Pogačar immediately on their wheel.

Just a moment later, seven men were at the head of the Three Valleys of Varese, but taking advantage of a downhill section, Pogačar changed the situation again, gaining first a few meters, then a handful of seconds before flying towards his 107th career victory.

Meanwhile, the group caught up with the escapees, recovering Simmons last. In the final ten kilometers, with attacks and counterattacks, Tom Pidcock (Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team), Primož Roglič (Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe), Gianmarco Garofoli (Soudal Quick-Step), Ben Tulett (Team Visma | Lease a Bike), Toms Skujiņš (Lidl - Trek), and again Isaac Del Toro (UAE Team Emirates - XRG) stood out, but in the center of Varese, a very thinned but compact peloton arrived to contest the placings.

To reread the race chronicle click here

FINISH ORDER

1 Pogačar Tadej UAE Team Emirates - XRG 04:34:28

2 Withen Philipsen Albert Lidl - Trek 00:45

3 Alaphilippe Julian Tudor Pro Cycling Team ,,

4 Lapeira Paul Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Team ,,

5 Higuita Sergio XDS Astana Team ,,

6 Skujiņš Toms Lidl - Trek ,,

7 Johannessen Tobias Halland Uno-X Mobility ,,

8 del Toro Isaac UAE Team Emirates - XRG ,,

9 Kulset Johannes Uno-X Mobility ,,

10 Izagirre Ion Cofidis ,