The winning was never the boring part – When Tadej Pogačar does it like he did at Milan-San Remo, I could watch him win every week

Tadej Pogačar secured victory at Milan-San Remo this past weekend, but not in his now-familiar dominant fashion. Instead of a long-range, solo exhibition, the Slovenian triumphed by merely half a wheel on the Via Roma, out-sprinting Jasper Philipsen and Michael Matthews in a thrilling, photo-finish finale. This marked his first Monument win of the 2024 season and his debut victory at La Classicissima, adding another jewel to his already glittering palmarès.

This narrow victory is particularly noteworthy given Pogačar's recent trend of overwhelming, 50km-plus solo wins, which, for some, had begun to border on predictable. His prior successes, while undeniably impressive, risked dulling the spectacle. Milan-San Remo, however, demanded a different kind of tactical acumen and raw sprint power, showcasing a versatility that reminds us why he's considered a generational talent. It was a stark contrast to his Strade Bianche masterclass, proving he can win ugly as well as beautiful.

Ultimately, Pogačar's ability to win in multiple guises means the "boring" tag can be firmly put to rest. Sometimes, a nail-biting finish is precisely what the sport needs, even from its most dominant rider.