Tadej Pogačar recently became the fifth rider in history to win his first race wearing the rainbow jersey of world champion, a significant achievement in cycling. Pogačar, already a two-time Tour de France champion, added this to his growing list of accolades by winning Il Lombardia in October 2024, just weeks after clinching the UCI Road World Championship title.
This feat puts him in the company of four other legendary riders who accomplished the same.
The first cyclist to achieve this was Alfredo Binda in 1932. Binda, an Italian powerhouse, won the Giro di Lombardia shortly after claiming his world championship title.
Binda was one of the dominant figures of cycling’s early years, with three Giro d’Italia titles to his name.
Next was Eddy Merckxin 1971, often regarded as the greatest cyclist of all time.
After winning the world championship, Merckx went on to secure victory in Paris-Tours, continuing his unparalleled career which included five Tour de France wins and countless classics.
Gianni Bugno joined this exclusive club in 1991. The Italian cyclist, renowned for his all-around abilities, won the Gran Premio Città di Camaiore after becoming world champion. Bugno was a force in the 1990s, known for his consistency in both one-day races and stage races.
The most recent rider before Pogačar to achieve this was Alejandro Valverde in 2018. Valverde, a Spanish legend known for his resilience and longevity, won the Milano-Torino race shortly after his world title, further solidifying his status as one of the sport’s greats.
With this victory, Pogačar adds another chapter to his already illustrious career, joining these legendary riders and showing his remarkable ability to perform under the weight of the rainbow jersey.
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