Greig Leach

As he rode into the square in Siena, Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) had plenty of time to celebrate his victory with the crowds lining the barriers. I love the way the race winds through the narrow shadowed streets before bursting into the bright sunlight of the piazza. It was as if the stage lights were raised as the tenor finished his aria to the delight of the audience. At the finish line, Pogacar stopped and held his bike over his head, first to the cameras and then to the crowds. It was truly a monumental victory of the not yet honored sixth monument. The two that chased behind came home three minutes later with Toms Skujins (Lidl-Trek) dropping Maxim Van Gils (Lotto Dstny) for second place and Van Gils four seconds later for the final step of the podium. The winner from last year (who had done a long break away to win himself), Tom Pidcock (Ineos-Grenadiers) another minute later. The rest of the finishers came in in dribs and drabs as Pogacar made his way through the end of the race protocol.