Pogacar pulls off another insane solo: "You have to prove again that you're the best"

The Italian one-day race is known for its multiple passes over the challenging San Luca climb in the finale. Although the decisive battle usually takes place on the last of the five passes, Pogacar left his competition behind on the very first lap. The cycling superstar countered an attack from Remco Evenepoel, and off he went. Evenepoel, disillusioned, quickly gave up.

After the race, Pogacar gave a brief reaction, as seen in a tweet by Velon. The winner said he felt the pressure to live up to his status as world champion. "I arrived here, I got all the kit, and I felt a little bit of pressure. First race in the rainbow jersey, you need to prove again that you're the best. I was under pressure to perform today, but it was a good day in the end," said the cycling master of the hour.

More comments from the world champion were available on the UAE Team Emirates website. "I’m very thankful to all the fans who were out there cheering in the rain for everybody. It was really amazing. Today we had a plan to keep it hard until the last two laps but in the end Remco moved and it unfolded a lot earlier. Then there was attacks and I responded and pushed on but didn’t think it would go as it did. There are just two races left now this season and I’m looking forward to them."

Not only is Pogacar making history with his many victories, but his team, UAE Team Emirates, is also benefiting greatly. After Pogacar's win, the team’s total number of victories this season stands at an astonishing 78. Pogacar has two more races left this season: Tre Valli Varesine and the Tour of Lombardy. Reaching the milestone of 80 victories seems within reach. Pogacar himself accounts for 24 wins this season.

With his victory in Emilia, Pogacar also matches the achievement of Tom Boonen, who won the first race he competed in while wearing the world champion's jersey. In fact, the three-time Tour winner has arguably done even better than the former classics king by achieving this within the same season.