2024 Road Season Wraps up at 2024 Il Lombardia

There may be some races left on the calendar, but Saturday’s Il Lombardia, the “Race of the Falling Leaves” marks the sentimental end of the season as the final memorial of the race calendar each year. Presented by Crédit Agricole, Il Lombardia is ready to celebrate its 118th edition on October 12. The 2024 edition features a renewed course, high expectations for the main contenders, and the unique allure that only this race can offer.

Pogacar’s To Lose?

The lakefront once again becomes the finish line of Il Lombardia, two years after the second of Tadej Pogacar’s three consecutive victories. The Slovene, crowned world champion eight days ago in Zurich, is aiming for a fourth win, which would allow him to equal Fausto Coppi, the only rider in history to have won Il Lombardia four times in a row from 1946 to 1949. Pogacar’s main challengers are Remco Evenepoel, who scored nine wins this season, including two Olympic gold medals and the world time trial title, and Primoz Roglic, who finished third in 2023 and recently won the Vuelta a España.

Many valuable outsiders are expected to start on October 12, from Enric Mas, second in 2022, to Andrea Bagioli, who achieved the same result twelve months ago. The runner-up position was also Julian Alaphilippe’s best result in 2017, while Team Visma | Lease a Bike will be aiming for a strong performance with Matteo Jorgenson. Other notable names include two former winners: Bauke Mollema (2019) and Jakob Fuglsang (2020), as well as Richard Carapaz, Simon Yates, Antonio Tiberi, Giulio Ciccone, and Romain Bardet. Thomas Pidcock, Amstel Gold Race winner and Olympic gold medalist in Mountain Biking at Paris 2024, will make his debut in the race.

The 2024 Route

The race sets off from Bergamo, heading for the Val Seriana. After a first short flat stretch, the route takes in a first set of consecutive climbs across the pre-Alps around the city, linked with no pause for breath, covering more than 50% of the overall elevation gain of the race. Past the Forcellino di Bianzano (Valle Rossa), the Ganda climb, the Colle di Berbenno and Valpiana, a short span on flat roads leads to Lake Como. The route passes by Lecco and Onno, and then turns, taking in the ‘traditional’ ascent to Asso (the ‘Onno’ climb) followed by the Ghisallo ascent, along the less demanding side. After descending towards Bellagio and following the lakeside all the way to Nesso, the peloton will negotiate the toughest ascent of Il Lombardia, from Nesso to the Colma di Sormano. The road, narrowed at points, rises for 13 km in hairpins at a maximum 11% gradient. After a fast-running descent into Maglio over a switchback road, the route continues with mild downhill gradients all the way to Como, before the final effort. Past the urban area, the route takes in the San Fermo della Battaglia ascent (397 m) and then drops into Como again, heading for the finish line.

Final Kilometres

The last 10 km begin in urban Como and run along wide avenues, up to the railway underpass, where the final San Fermo della Battaglia ascent begins. The climb has a gradient of nearly 7% (max. 10%) and runs on narrowed roadway, ascending in hairpins all the way up to the summit (around 5 km from the finish). The descent ends 1,000 m before the finish. There is one last, wide left-hand bend 600 m before the finish.

Ghisallo Fanzone

On the occasion of Il Lombardia presented by Crédit Agricole, fans will have the opportunity to experience an unforgettable day at one of the most iconic locations in the sport, where tradition meets passion. On Saturday, October 12, a Fanzone will be set up on the legendary Madonna del Ghisallo climb. This area, featuring a London-style double-decker bus, will serve as a meeting point for all fans wishing to follow the race. Two giant screens will be set up on either side of the bus, allowing fans to share the excitement of the race, admire their idols, and enjoy a unique experience.

The Fanzone will be active from 11:30 AM, offering food and beverage areas, and will come with music to entertain fans throughout the day. Setting the Fanzone on the Madonna del Ghisallo is also a tribute to the history of this location, considered by many to be the “sanctuary” of cycling, with its museum and famous church dedicated to the patron saint of cyclists. Thousands of fans gather here each year to experience the magic of the race, breathing in the sacrifice and glory of the champions tackling this historic climb.