Did Tadej Pogačar win Milan-San Remo on a cracked Colnago?

Tadej Pogačar reportedly rode the final 30 kilometres of Milan-San Remo, including the crucial Poggio descent, on a Colnago V4Rs frame that sustained a significant crack during an earlier crash. A UAE Team Emirates mechanic confirmed to *road.cc* that the damage, located on the top tube near the seat post, was only discovered post-race, stating Pogačar would not have descended so aggressively had he been aware of the compromised integrity. Pogačar finished third, just behind Jasper Philipsen and winner Mads Pedersen.

This revelation adds a perilous layer to Pogačar's already audacious performance, where he launched his characteristic attack on the Poggio. While the damage didn't prevent him from securing a podium spot, it highlights the razor-thin margins and inherent risks in professional cycling. It also raises questions about immediate bike checks after crashes, even minor ones, especially in the heat of a monument. For Colnago, it's a testament to their frame's resilience, or perhaps a terrifying close call.

To ride the Poggio with a cracked frame and still contend for victory is either a testament to Pogačar's otherworldly talent or a stark reminder that sometimes, ignorance truly is bliss – until it isn't.