Michael Storer achieved a significant milestone in his cycling career by securing third place at the prestigious Il Lombardia on October 7, 2023. The Australian cyclist, racing for Tudor Pro Cycling, finished behind strong competitors Tadej Pogačar of UAE Team Emirates and Remco Evenepoel from Soudal-QuickStep. This podium finish marks Storer’s first in a Monument race, an achievement he described as a highlight he did not anticipate.
Storer expressed his gratitude, saying, “I’m super grateful for everything. The team will be super happy.” He noted that his phone would likely be inundated with messages following the race. Storer’s team, managed by retired professional cyclist Fabian Cancellara, provided strong support throughout the event, with Cancellara participating in the reconnaissance ride prior to the race.
The critical moment of the race unfolded on the slopes of the Passo di Ganda, where a select group of riders, including Storer, Pogačar, Evenepoel, and teammates Jay Vine and Isaac del Toro, formed as they approached the final climb. Pogačar launched a decisive attack at the midway point, establishing a lead of nearly a minute. Storer, Evenepoel, and Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale’s Paul Seixas attempted to respond but were unable to match Pogačar’s pace.
As the race progressed, Evenepoel managed to distance himself from Seixas and Del Toro. Storer struggled to maintain pace with Evenepoel, attributing this to the exertion required to keep up during the hairpin turns of the descent. Storer explained, “The problem was that Remco is super aero, and just sprinting out of the corners. Every time out of the switchbacks, I was on his wheel; the problem was that it was just burning my legs every sprint.”
Despite the challenges, Storer maintained focus and managed to secure third place, finishing 3:14 behind Pogačar in Bergamo. Reflecting on the race, he said, “I was just in a world of pain on that last climb. I haven’t gone that deep many times in my life before.” Storer characterized his podium finish as an unexpected surprise, particularly as he had already enjoyed a successful season.
Earlier in the year, Storer celebrated multiple victories, including winning a stage and finishing fifth overall at Paris-Nice, as well as securing both a stage win and the overall title at the Tour of the Alps. He also placed tenth overall at the Giro d’Italia and achieved a stage podium at the Tour de France. Recently, he added another victory to his resume by winning the Memorial Marco Pantani.
Storer concluded his reflections on the season with pride, stating, “It’s the highlight I wasn’t expecting to come at the very end. I feel like there have been a lot of highlights this year. As I said before, I can be proud of my season, proud of today, and proud of my team.” His performance at Il Lombardia not only underscores his talent but also positions him as a rising star in the cycling world.