Promises in cycling are rarely binding. Schedules shift, priorities change, and fatigue often wins the argument. Yet when Tadej Pogačar vowed last October to return to Tre Valli Varesine after the rain-swept cancellation, it carried weight. A year on, the World Champion is keeping his word.
The Slovenian had pledged to return to the Italian autumn semi-classic after the 2024 edition was abandoned due to torrential rain. The race was shortened, delayed and ultimately stopped with 110 kilometres remaining.
Pogačar was among the riders who supported the organisers in their difficult decision, later recalling the emotion he witnessed: “There were tears in the eyes. This race means a lot to them. I promised to come back.”
Now, the 27-year-old Slovenian will honour that commitment. Pogačar, who won Tre Valli in 2022, will line up again in Busto Arsizio on Tuesday, 7 October, leading a UAE Team Emirates-XRG squad that also features Isaac del Toro and Jay Vine. The 198.5km route to Varese includes 3,171 metres of climbing and is expected to be decided on the late ascents of Montello and Barasso.
For Pogačar, the race has long been a final tune-up before Il Lombardia, where he has reigned supreme for four consecutive years. This season, with world and European titles already secured, Tre Valli Varesine offers him both preparation and symbolism, a chance to repay a race that means much to its organisers and supporters.
“It’s been an amazing season for me personally and the whole UAE team, so we can say that anything that comes after this is a bonus,” Pogačar said in a team statement. “After the Europeans, Il Lombardia will be the last target of the season, and we decided to also do Tre Valli Varesine as a warm-up. As we all know, it was unfortunately cancelled last year, so it will be nice to come back and honour the race.”
On Sunday, Pogačar will contest the European Championships in France. Should he triumph there, his appearance at Tre Valli would mark his first outing as both World and European Champion.
The Italian race sets the stage for a special edition of Il Lombardia for Pogačar, where he has the chance to extend his streak to a record-breaking fifth straight victory. A win would place his 2025 campaign alongside Eddy Merckx’s legendary 1971 season, when the Belgian claimed three Monuments and the rainbow jersey.
On the back of a rollercoaster season, we sat down with Sarah Gigante. We talk about her rollercoaster journey from early setbacks to Grand Tour success, the criticism of her descending and why she believes beating Lorena Wiebes or Tadej Pogačar is almost impossible.
