Watch: Il Lombardia 2023 highlights

Saturday October 7 saw the final Monument of the 2023 season, Il Lombardia, which played host to some thrilling racing in the Indian summer of the Italian autumn.

The so-called Race of the Falling Leaves played out in hot conditions and bright sunshine, with Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates), Primož Roglič (Jumbo-Visma) and Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step) all going up against each other.

Evenepoel was the first to crack on the race's key climb, the Passo di Ganda (9.2km at 7.3%), where Pogačar and Roglič played a game of cat and mouse. Pogačar looked to spring a surprise on his cagey competitor and compatriot, and though Roglič corrected the matter by the summit, Pogačar slipped clear once again on the descent.

It was a surprise move and a surprise denouement, as the two-time champion pulled away on the downhill, then pressed home his advantage on the flat run towards the final test, the short, sharp Colle Aperto (1.6km at 8%). Despite some cramps earlier, he survived to the top to take the dip down into Bergamo's new town to celebrate his third successive triumph at Il Lombardia.

Behind, there was a six-man sprint for the podium placings, with Andrea Bagioli (Soudal Quick-Step) nabbing the runner-up spot from Roglič.

You can watch how it all played out in GCN's highlights package above, and to read our full race report, click here.