Tadej Pogacar was not at the start this time and could not defend the European Champion's jersey he won last year ahead of Remco Evenepoel and Paul Seixas. Despite this, the Slovenian did not want to miss the occasion: wearing the Slovenian national team jersey was Luka Mezgec, who for the last time pinned a number on his back, and Pogacar remained in the front row to witness his farewell to racing.

Pogacar emphasized on several occasions his affection and esteem for his friend and national teammate, recalling how Mezgec played a fundamental role in his career path. "Luka had an important role in my career. I was present at his greatest victory, at the Giro d'Italia in Trieste, when I was perhaps 15 years old," said the Slovenian champion, recalling the decisive stage of 2014, when Mezgec won the final stage of the 87th edition, finishing in Trieste after departing from Gemona del Friuli.

Pogacar continued by explaining the human and sporting value of Mezgec: "From that victory onwards, I think Luka became something of my idol and my mentor in the national team. I learned a lot from him; he had a truly extraordinary career. I believe that many young cyclists should aspire to a career like his".

In evoking the image of the savior-domestique and the last man in the train, Pogacar wanted to pay tribute to his teammate's sacrifice and generosity: "Luka's story is that of the last man who gives everything for the team in a race, the domestique, the mentor and the captain on the road. It's truly beautiful to be here with him today; I feel honored to sit by his side".

For Pogacar, the day was also a moment of reflection on his own condition: present at the finish to greet his teammates and to discover the name of the winner, he admitted the contrast between the desire to race and the physical reality after his injury. "Yes, certainly it's a bit unusual for me. Even on Saturday, while we were watching the women's race, Urska said: 'Damn, I should be there.' She's in excellent form, so it's hard to watch the race knowing you could be there. As for me, I'm here, I've been back training on the road for a week and I know my condition is rather poor; I wouldn't have wanted to be racing yesterday, but a week or two ago I would have had a great desire to be at the start".

The crash at the Vuelta forced Pogacar to end his season early; for this reason the champion will not be present at next week's Giro di Lombardia either, a classic that he loves and in which he would have wanted to return to fight for victory. But now the spotlight was entirely on Luka Mezgec: the last corner, the last number, and the embrace of someone who has followed him for years, with Pogacar in the front row to bear witness to affection, gratitude, and respect.