BERGAMO, Italy (AP) — Tadej Pogačar crossed the finish line first at the Tour of Lombardy and held up his open hand, each finger representing the record-equaling five times he was won the Italian classic.

It capped an incredible season, which includes a fourth Tour de France title, with a successful defense of the world road race crown as he matched Fausto Coppi’s five wins at the Italian race on Saturday.

“Seven years in a row I’ve said this is my best season so far, and I can say it again today,” Pogačar said after thanking his UAE Emirates teammates for their part in his victory.

Pogačar’s winning streak has come in consecutive years, while Coppi won the Lombardy event in 1946, 1947, 1948, 1949 and 1954.

The Slovenian cycling star completed the 241-kilometer (150-mile) race, which i

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