Il Lombardia Race Preview: The times are shorter, the leaves are falling and 2024 biking season is nearly over. However there may be one ‘huge bash’ left – Il Lombardia. The fifth and remaining Monument Basic of the season, a race with a protracted historical past and plenty of epic editions. The ‘Race of the Falling (Lifeless) Leaves’ has been gained by Tadej Pogačar for the previous three years. The Slovenian will likely be in search of fourth consecutive victory on Saturday, in his phenomenal season, however don’t write off the competitors, it could possibly be a fierce battle.
*** You’ll be able to see the ‘PEZ Lombardia’24 Preview with Chris Horner video’ HERE. ***
Will or not it’s 4 in a row for Tadej Pogačar?
Il Lombardia Historical past
Il Lombardia is the final Monument of the season, so possibly all the large stars should not on the start-line, however the north Italian Basic is one race that everybody desires to win. The Classica delle foglie morte (“the Basic of the falling (useless) leaves”) has plenty of romance because it closes biking yr. Here’s a little bit of historical past.
Giovanni Gerbi – The primary winner of Il Lombardia in 1905
The ‘actual Lombardia’ was born in 1905. Within the early years the race was nonetheless generally known as ‘Milan-Milan’, however from 1907 onwards, it was known as the Giro di Lombardia, or Il Lombardia. Of the 5 Monuments, solely Liège-Bastogne-Liège (1892) and Paris-Roubaix (1896) are older, however the race predates Milano-Sanremo (1907) and the Ronde van Vlaanderen (1913). Of all of the 5 Monuments, Il Lombardia should have the most effective environment. A whole lot of that is because of the time of yr, the late summer time interval, and that the season is approaching its finish and it’s time assume again with nostalgia on all the pieces that occurred throughout the previous biking yr. In Italy the race can be known as ‘La corsa delle foglie morte’, or ‘the race of the useless leaves’, in the remainder of the world it has been translated to ‘the race of the falling leaves’. The Tour of Lombardy is the final Monument of the street season, a final probability saloon for any under-achieving staff chief. Lombardia was once the primary huge race to see the rainbow jersey. A ‘no-body’ (nearly) by no means wins Lombardia. The celebrities of the previous are all names it is best to have heard of: Gustave Garrigou (1907), François Faber (1908), Henri Pélissier (1911, 1913 and 1920) and Philippe Thys (1917) within the years earlier than and throughout the first world warfare. Then after the primary warfare after which throughout and after the second world warfare, it was the Italian champions Costante Girardengo (1919, 1921 and 1922), Alfredo Binda (1925, 1926, 1927 and 1931), Gino Bartali (1936, 1939 and 1940) and file holder Fausto Coppi (1946, 1947, 1948, 1949 and 1954) who dominated the roads of Lombardy.
The legend and five-time Lombardia winner – Fausto Coppi
Then there was different biking greats: Rik Van Looy (1959), Felice Gimondi (1966 and 1973), Roger De Vlaeminck (1974 and 1976), Francesco Moser (1975 and 1978), Bernard Hinault (1979 and 1984), Sean Kelly (1983, 1985 and 1991) and Tony Rominger (1989 and 1992). Within the two-thousands, it was Michele Bartoli (2002 and 2003), Paolo Bettini (2005 and 2006), Damiano Cunego (2004, 2007 and 2008), Philippe Gilbert (2009 and 2010), Joaquim Rodríguez (2012 and 2013) and Vincenzo Nibali (2015 and 2017), who all took a number of victories. Italy has had 69 winners, no different nation even comes shut. Belgium is second in success record with France, with twelve wins. Thys, Van Looy, Emile Daems, Herman Vanspringel, Jean-Pierre Monseré, Merckx, De Vlaeminck, Fons De Wolf and Gilbert had been the Belgians and Gustave Garrigou, Henri Pélissier, Louison Bobet, André Darrigade, Bernard Hinault, Charly Mottet, Gilles Delion, Laurent Jalabert and Thibaut Pinot. Roger De Vlaeminck gained the Tour of Lombardy twice, at a time when Eddy Merckx was successful when and the place he needed. There have been many different nice champions at that very same time: Joop Zoetemelk, Luis Ocaña, Felice Gimondi, Bernard Thévenet, Francesco Moser and Jan Raas, however ‘The Gypsy of Eeklo’ had a full palmarès. Milan-Sanremo 3 times, Paris-Roubaix 4 occasions, the Tour of Flanders, Liège-Bastogne-Liège, Tirreno-Adriatico seven occasions and 22 phases within the Giro d’Italia… the record goes on.
Lombardia 1974 – Roger De Vlaeminck getting the higher of Eddy Merckx
De Vlaeminck’s different nickname is Mr. Paris-Roubaix, and he holds the file with 4 victories (with Tom Boonen, however he doesn’t like to say it), however the Tour of Lombardy, which he gained in 1974 and 1976, additionally has a particular place in his coronary heart. “That’s the most lovely and hardest race on this planet. However man, the Tour of Lombardy… That’s the actual race,” the Belgian stated in an interview with De Standaard in 2017. “In my time, one-day cyclists needed to compete in opposition to climbers. I’ve ridden there in opposition to Thevenet, Poulidor, Zoetemelk, Panizza… But in addition in opposition to prime riders from the classics. If you happen to may say in Italy that you’ve Milan-San Remo and Lombardy in your record of achievements, you might be within the gallery of the easiest. It isn’t with out motive that Lombardy is within the group of 5 monuments. You’ll be able to’t do something in Lombardy should you don’t like climbing. However should you can and wish to try this, Lombardy is absolutely the most effective,” the two-time winner stated of Il Lombardia.
Vincenzo Nibali – Winner in 2017
The Final 10 Winners of Il Lombardia:
2023: Tadej Pogačar
2022: Tadej Pogačar
2021: Tadej Pogačar
2020: Jakob Fuglsang
2019: Bauke Mollema
2018: Thibaut Pinot
2017: Vincenzo Nibali
2016: Jhoan Esteban Chaves Rubio
2015: Vincenzo Nibali
2014: Daniel Martin.
Three time Lombardia winner – Gino Bartali
The 2023 Il Lombardia
Tadej Pogačar dropped the highest males within the main group to solo to victory in Bergamo. His third in a row Il Lombardia and his fifth monument. The opposite stars couldn’t pull the Slovenian champion again even when he had cramp within the final kilometres. Andrea Bagioli was second and Primož Roglič third at 51 seconds.
# You’ll be able to learn the complete ‘PEZ Il Lombardia 2023 Race Report’ HERE. #
2023 Il Lombardia End result:
1. Tadej Pogačar (Slo) UAE Workforce Emirates in 5:55:33
2. Andrea Bagioli (Ita) Soudal Fast-Step at 0:51
3. Primož Roglič (Slo) Jumbo-Visma
4. Aleksandr Vlasov (-) BORA-hansgrohe
5. Simon Yates (GB) Jayco AlUla
6. Adam Yates (GB) UAE Workforce Emirates
7. Carlos Rodríguez (Spa) INEOS Grenadiers
8. Richard Carapaz (Eu) EF Training-EasyPost in 1:05
9. Remco Evenepoel (Bel) Soudal Fast-Step in 1:25
10. Andreas Kron (Den) Lotto Dstny.
Famous person Climbers Conflict In The Yr’s Last Monument | Il Lombardia 2023 Highlights by GCN Racing:
The 2024 Route
Lately, Il Lombardia has alternated between Como and Bergamo for the end. This yr, the end is once more in Como and Bergamo will host the beginning. Bergamo is likely one of the oldest cities in Lombardy and has Etruscan, Celtic and Roman influences.
Il Lombardia’24 map
Bergamo is an actual biking metropolis and the Giro d’Italia has visited many occasions. Additionally it is the birthplace of numerous well-known Italian cyclists, together with Claudio Corti, Eddy Mazzoleni, Fausto Masnada and Lorenzo Rota, the final two are nonetheless within the peloton in the meanwhile. Masnada got here near successful the Tour of Lombardy three years in the past, however was overwhelmed within the dash by Tadej Pogačar. From Bergamo, the riders head east after which northwest. The race then hits the Forcellino di Bianzano (6.3km at 5.1%), the Ganda (9.4km at 7%), Colle di Berbenno (4.5km at 6.2%) and the climb to Valpiana (10.4km at 6.1%). These climbs ought to see off the riders who left their climbing legs at house, however the race will in all probability not begin but.
Il Lombardia’24 profile
The finale begins about 90 kilometres from the end, with the Madonna del Ghisallo (8.7km at 5.3%). This yr it’s not climbed from Bellagio, the traditional aspect, however from Asso. In 2022, the race then went straight to the San Fermo della Battaglia, however this yr there may be the Colma di Sormano (12.8km at 6.7%) first. That is the aspect that the riders often descend after climbing the shorter, however very steep Muro di Sormano. This climb was final included within the route in 2020, the place Remco Evenepoel crashed over a bridge and broke his pelvis and had months off the bike to get better.
Il Lombardia’24 finale profile
The summit of the Colma di Sormano is 42 kilometres from the end. Many of the climbing is over because the Civiglio just isn’t on the route this yr resulting from roadworks. After the Sormano there may be flat part earlier than San Fermo della Battaglia (2.9km at 6.6%). As soon as over that climb, there may be simply over 5 kilometres to the end line in Como.
The Lombardia Climbs:
- Forcellino di Bianzano (6.3km at 5.1%) – Summit after 29.9 kilometres
- Passo Ganda (9.4km at 7%) – Summit after 49.8 kilometres
- Colle di Berbenno (4.5km at 6.2%) – Summit after 83.9 kilometres
- Valpiana (10.4km at 6.1%) – Summit after 103.8 kilometres
- Madonna del Ghisallo (8.7km at 5.3%) – Summit after 173.7 kilometres
- Colma di Sormano (12.8km at 6.7%) – Summit after 210 kilometres
- San Fermo della Battaglia (2.9km at 6.6%) – Summit after 246.8 kilometres
The Sormano comes 42km for the end
Saturday October 12, Bergamo – Como (252km)
Begin: 10.35am
End: round 5pm.
When will Pogačar assault this yr?
The Race Favourites
Il Lombardia is the race the place the highest riders of the season battle for the final time… if they’re nonetheless recent sufficient. This yr the beginning record of a top quality, however will the Tadej Pogačar that now we have seen just lately assault early and end solo in Como on Saturday? The World champion has had an unbelievable season and is holding his robust type. The chief of UAE Workforce Emirates began with a win in Strade Bianche and adopted that with 4 stage wins and the general within the Tour of Catalonia. Liège-Bastogne-Liège, the Giro d’Italia, together with 6 stage wins, Tour de France, additionally with 6 stage wins, GP de Montréal, the World street championship and the Giro dell’Emilia final week. That’s 24 victories. Most groups dream of that quantity of wins. Pogacar will need No.25 on Saturday and his fourth Lombardia in a row and particularly within the rainbow jersey. Because the yr 2000, solely Paolo Bettini has gained Lombardia as World champion, that was in 2006. Pogačar has a powerful staff behind him: Adam Yates, Pavel Sivakov and Marc Hirschi will likely be there to assist him when the motion will get going, however Yates and Hirschi may win if one thing goes mistaken for the Slovenian. Yates has completed within the top-10 in his final three participations and third in 2021. Hirschi has by no means proven a lot in Lombardy, however he’s shifting staff on the finish of the yr and has been successful one race after one other just lately.
Will this be the peloton’s view of Pogačar on Saturday?
So can anybody beat Tadej Pogacar? His countryman, Primoz Roglič had aimed on the final huge race of the season, however since he gained the Vuelta a España he has not been driving effectively and didn’t end the Giro dell’Emilia and Coppa Bernocchi final week. This was an indication to his current type and Roglič together with his Pink Bull-BORA-hansgrohe staff have determined to finish his season early and never begin Il Lombardia. “An extended season is coming to an finish. Primož and the efficiency staff have determined to attract a line beneath an thrilling biking yr.” The staff will now rely on Aleksandr Vlasov. He was 4th in Lombardy final yr and is at all times a powerful contender.
Aleksandr Vlasov ought to be Pink Bull-BORA-hansgrohe’s essential man
Remco Evenepoel has additionally had an beautiful season: Two Olympic golds, a World championship and on the Tour podium place within the Tour de France, however he’s beginning to look drained and Saturday would possibly simply be a few weeks too late. The Belgian desires to get revenge on Lombardia for his crash 4 years in the past that took him out of the race and the peloton for months. The one drawback for the Belgian ‘Surprise Boy’ is his type. Evenepoel stated earlier than the beginning of the Coppa Bernocchi that ‘the batteries are slowly beginning to run out’ and his staff supervisor Klaas Lodewyck didn’t make any excuses: “He’s removed from prime. We are able to see that too. He’s at his restrict. Not when he’s simply biking, at a gentle tempo. Effectively, in full effort. It’s now essential to get better effectively and see what can come of it within the coming days,” Lodewyck informed Het Laatste Nieuws.
Has the season been too lengthy for Remco Evenepoel?
What of the opposite rider who would possibly stand an opportunity? Tom Pidcock needed to maintain his Olympic mountain bike title, which he succeeded in doing and he was the most effective behind Pogačar within the Giro dell’Emilia. The INEOS Grenadiers rider ought to trust for Saturday, however he’s up in opposition to the Slovenian World champion and should use his techniques if he desires to win.
Tom Pidcock might need to assault early
Groupama-FDJ’s David Gaudu got here out of disappointing Tour de France with some good type, though it he has gone off the boil within the final weeks. Gaudu may throw himself into the race and make a powerful effort for the final time in 2024. The staff additionally has younger rider, Romain Grégoire. It’s a protracted and difficult race, possibly an excessive amount of for the Frenchman, however don’t ignore him.
David Gaudu – Possibly?
Aside from Remco Evenepoel, Belgium additionally has Lennert Van Eetvelt. The younger Lotto Dstny climber hasn’t raced since he deserted the Vuelta a España, so he’s an unknown entity on Saturday. Van Eetvelt has been coaching for Lombardia and will likely be brisker than the others. May this be to his benefit?
Lennert Van Eetvelt is one other doable
Enric Mas often has a superb finish of season after his predictable Vuelta. The Movistar rider was second to Pogačar two years in the past and solely misplaced out on the end to a greater sprinter. The Spaniard surprisingly attacked within the finally cancelled Tre Valli Varesine throughout the week, so he has the shape and the ‘fireplace within the stomach’. However there may be at all times a query, is Mas a winner? He clearly generally is a challenger to the World champion, however can he take the victory?
Can Enric Mas step as much as the win
One other rider who’s at all times a contender is Michael Woods. The Canadian has been fifth and ninth within the remaining Monument and was 4th within the Giro dell’Emilia final Saturday. Wilco Kelderman is a part of a powerful Visma | Lease a Bike staff together with Matteo Jorgenson, Attila Valter, Tiesj Benoot and Bart Lemmen.
Michael Woods one other man to look at
Of the opposite outsiders there may be additionally Bauke Mollema, who gained Il Lombardia 5 years in the past. The Lidl-Trek Dutchman was very strongly on the World championship in Zurich. His teammate Toms Skujiņš was 4th within the World Championship and was very near a medal.
Bauke Mollema – He’s gained right here earlier than
Ion Izagirre (Cofidis), Aurélien Paret-Peintre (Decathlon AG2R), Neilson Powless (EF Training-EasyPost), Maxim Van Gils (Lotto Dstny), Florian Lipowitz (Pink Bull-BORA-hansgrohe), Michael Storer (Tudor) and Giro dell’Emilia revelation Davide Piganzoli (Polti-Kometa), are all robust candidates for a prime end.
Aurélien Paret-Peintre – Outdoors guess
Who else to take a look at? Romain Bardet (dsm-firmenich PostNL), Simon Yates (Jayco AlUla), Tobias Halland Johannessen (Uno-X Mobility), Antonio Tiberi and Santiago Buitrago (Bahrain Victorious), Felix Gall (Decathlon AG2R) and the retiring Domenico Pozzovivo (VF Group-Bardiani CSF-Faizanè).
The final huge race for Domenico Pozzovivo
The TOP Favourites:
No.1: Tadej Pogačar
Doable: Tom Pidcock and Remco Evenepoel
Possibly: Aleksandr Vlasov, Enric Mas and Michael Woods
Outdoors Likelihood: Matteo Jorgenson, Toms Skujiņš and Simon Yates.
* The beginning record would possibly change between now and Saturday.
Il Lombardia 2024 | We’re nearly right here
*** Keep PEZ for the ‘Lombardia Race Report’ on Saturday and all of the information in EUROTRASH Monday. ***
# Due to WielerFlits and CyclingFlash for inspiration and info. #