"Best of the mortals" has strong message for those feeling discouraged by Pogacar and co

"This means a lot to me," Ciccone acknowledged, noting the significance of racing in his home country, Italy, but also reflecting on the turbulent months leading up to it. A saddle sore kept him out of the Giro d'Italia for the second year in a row (last year he was out due to COVID), and he missed a top ten finish on the final day of the Tour de France. In the Vuelta a España, he was performing well but had to abandon the race after sustaining a knee injury in a crash involving a deer crossing the road. "It was a very difficult year, I faced so many problems. Finishing like this is good for my mindset. It gives me confidence for next season."

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Ciccone expressed gratitude to Lidl-Trek, which, despite his setbacks, supported him as soon as he had enough training under his belt. This trust was fully repaid in Lombardy, where Ciccone was the only rider to dare attack Pogacar. He didn't get far, but it showed his confidence. "From the first climbs, I felt I had great legs. I told my teammates I was feeling strong, and they gave me 100 percent. I was always in a good position, and Bauke Mollema delivered perfectly for me at the end."

The 29-year-old climber wasn’t initially in a position to claim third place in the final. Pogacar and Evenepoel had broken away, as did Pavel Sivakov, Lennert Van Eetvelt and Enric Mas, initially pulling away from Ciccone. With strong assistance from Mollema, however, he lost little ground and powered over the last hill, overtaking the chasers. "Together, we got the maximum out of it. A champion who wins here every year is in first place, and a two-time Olympic champion in second. You have to accept reality, we live in an era of champions."

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As a result, these podium finishes increasingly feel like personal victories. The podium photo from Il Lombardia 2024 is likely to hold a special place in Ciccone's home. "You should never give up, but you must be realistic and do your best whenever there's an opportunity. The races are different because the main protagonist is always the same. Pogacar dictates when he goes, but we must not let that demoralize us. We aim for the best possible result, even when the pace is as incredibly high as it was today."

It looks like we’ll be seeing much more of Ciccone. Last year, he out-punched Evenepoel and Roglic on a climb in Catalonia, and he seems in top form, capable of challenging a few of the 'alien' riders. "I always work hard, and as the Italian fall racing season approaches, I keep hoping to achieve something. I stayed focused, even though things didn't go well at the World Championships and shortly after. This feels like a bit of a comeback for me. Standing on the podium alongside those guys gives the result extra meaning. It may not feel like a victory, but it feels very good. Plus, I had legs I haven't felt in a long time. Now, I just hope for a good winter because if I can start 2025 well-prepared, it’ll be a fun year..."