Il Lombardia Historical past: Il Lombardia is the final Monument of the season, so possibly all the massive stars usually are not on the start-line, however the north Italian Basic is one race that everybody needs to win. The Classica delle foglie morte (“the Basic of the falling (lifeless) leaves”) has quite a lot 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 referred to 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-San Remo (1907) and the Ronde van Vlaanderen (1913). Of all of the 5 Monuments, Il Lombardia should have the very best ambiance.
The followers like it!
Numerous that is as a result of time of yr, the late summer time interval, and that the season is approaching its finish and it’s time suppose again with nostalgia on every thing that occurred through the previous biking yr. In Italy the race can be referred to as ‘La corsa delle foglie morte’, or ‘the race of the lifeless 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 likelihood saloon for any under-achieving crew chief. Up till this yr and the ‘Tremendous Worlds’, Lombardia was the primary huge race to see the rainbow jersey.
Oscar Camenzind in 1998
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 through the first world conflict. Then after the primary conflict after which throughout and after the second world conflict, 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 document 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.
Nibali took his second Lombardia in 2017
Italy has had 69 winners, no different nation even comes shut. Belgium is second in success listing 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.
The final French winner – Thibaut Pinot in 2018
Roger De Vlaeminck received the Tour of Lombardy twice, at a time when Eddy Merckx was in profitable when and the place he wished. 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-San Remo 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 listing goes on.
Roger De Vlaeminck – Higher remembered in Paris-Roubaix
De Vlaeminck’s different nickname is Mr. Paris-Roubaix, and he holds the document with 4 victories (with Tom Boonen, however he doesn’t like to say it), however the Tour of Lombardy, which he received in 1974 and 1976, additionally has a particular place in his coronary heart. “That’s the most stunning and hardest race on this planet. However man, the Tour of Lombardy… That’s the actual race,” the Belgian mentioned in an interview with De Standaard in 2017.
De Vlaeminck winner in 1974
“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 additionally in opposition to prime riders from the classics. In case you may say in Italy that you’ve got Milan-San Remo and Lombardy in your listing of achievements, you’re within the gallery of the perfect. It’s not with out purpose that Lombardy is within the group of 5 monuments. You possibly can’t do something in Lombardy for those who don’t like climbing. However for those who can and need to try this, Lombardy is actually the very best,” the two-time winner mentioned of Il Lombardia.
Lombardia 1976 – Roger De Vlaeminck
Final ten winners of the Il Lombardia
2022: Tadej Pogačar
2021: Tadej Pogačar
2020: Jakob Fuglsang
2019: Bauke Mollema
2018: Thibaut Pinot
2017: Vincenzo Nibali
2016: Esteban Chaves
2015: Vincenzo Nibali
2014: Daniel Martin
2013: Joaquim Rodríguez.
The ultimate kilometre
The 2022 Version
On the finish of an thrilling Il Lombardia Tadej Pogačar repeated his win of final yr in Lombardy, this time out-sprinting Enric Mas with Mikel Landa 100 metres behind in third place. Sergio Higuita and Carlos Rodríguez had been at 52 seconds and Alejandro Valverde at over 1 minute in sixth place.
The second Il Lombardia win for Tadej Pogačar
Tadej Pogacar received the Tour of Lombardy for the second yr in a row. The Slovenian sprinted in forward of Enric Mas after the pair had escaped the others. Mikel Landa was with them, however was distance within the last.
Goodbye to Alejandro Valverde and Vincenzo Nibali
Il Lombardia’22 route:
From Bergamo, the riders head towards Val Seriana for a brief flat stretch earlier than tackling a sequence of climbs within the Pre-Alps across the metropolis. They are going to climb the Forcellino di Bianzano (Valle Rossa), the ascent of Ganda, the Passo della Crocetta in Dossena, the Forcella di Bura and Colle di Berbenno. A brief flat part brings the riders to Lake Como, after which ascend from Lecco to Bellagio for the basic climb of Ghisallo the place it ramps as much as 14% with a number of hairpin bends. A really quick descent follows to Maglio. Because the riders attain Como, the race will cowl a last circuit of 22km. After passing town centre of Como the race climbs by means of San Fermo della Battaglia for the primary time (397m), then descend into Como earlier than crossing the end line for the primary time. A few kilometre later the powerful climb in the direction of Civiglio (614m) will start with slopes averaging round 10%, earlier than going again by means of Como to climb San Fermo della Battaglia for a second time. The final 10km is contained in the city of Como, following broad avenues as much as a railway underpass the place the climb of San Fermo della Battaglia begins. The slope is round 7% (max 10%) with a slender carriageway and tough street floor. Round 5km from the end, a number of hairpins characteristic earlier than the highest of the climb. The descent on broad, well-paved street with two well-lit tunnels and two giant roundabouts. At 600m from the end, there’s a final broad flip to the left.
Il Lombardia’22 profile
Defending champion Tadej Pogačar was the highest favorite, however there have been loads of different potential winners. Two of them, Alejandro Valverde and Vincenzo Nibali, had been using the final race of their profession. Proper from the beginning there have been assaults. Élie Gesbert was the primary to take a niche, however the Arkéa-Samsic Frenchman couldn’t get away. When he was introduced again, Alex Tolio (Bardiani-CSF-Faizanè), Christian Scaroni (Astana Qazaqstan) and Simone Ravanelli (Drone Hopper-Androni Giocattoli) tried their luck. That they had a small lead on the Forcellino di Bianzano.
The beginning of the final Monument of the season
Behind; a gaggle of eight had been chasing, six of them ultimately managed to cross. Alessandro De Marchi (Israel-Premier Tech), Lawson Craddock (BikeExchange-Jayco), Kenny Elissonde (Trek-Segafredo), Davide Bais (EOLO-Kometa), Luca Covili (Bardiani-CSF-Faizanè), Natnael Tesfatsion (Drone Hopper-Androni Giocattoli) joined the entrance three on the Forcellino di Bianzano.
Bergamo was out to see the riders off
Aurélien Paret-Peintre (AG2R Citroën) additionally caught them on the Passo di Ganda, the second climb of the day. The ‘break of the day’ now consisted of ten riders. They took a most lead of 5:30. The lead didn’t get any greater as Movistar, Jumbo-Visma and UAE Crew Emirates began to drag within the peloton and the hole shortly narrowed to beneath 3 minutes.
Lawson Craddock was a part of the early break
With greater than 150 kilometres to go, there was a crash within the peloton involving Lorenzo Fortunato (EOLO-Kometa) and Mikel Nieve (Caja Rural-Seguros RGA). Nieve was additionally using his final race as a professional, however wouldn’t make it to the end. The unlucky Spaniard had to surrender. There was one other crash quickly after, this time Domenico Pozzovivo was the sufferer. Like Nieve, Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert’s chief couldn’t proceed.
A day of the lakes
At 71 kilometres out, on the foot of the Madonna del Ghisallo, the escape was caught. INEOS Grenadiers had led the best way in the direction of the climb, however when it began it Jumbo-Visma who took command. As a result of tempo set by Chris Harper, the peloton thinned out significantly, however the favourites had no issues but. That modified when João Almeida took over and Julian Alaphilippe, amongst others, couldn’t maintain on. The Frenchman was distanced the highest, however managed to shut the hole.
The peloton didn’t let the break take greater than 3 minutes within the first 100 kilometres
After the Madonna del Ghisallo the initiative remained with UAE Crew Emirates. They had been additionally in management through the first climb of the San Fermo della Battaglia, the place there have been no assaults as a result of excessive tempo. After crossing the road in Como for the primary time, there have been about thirty riders within the entrance group on the Civiglio.
Can the Tour winner Jonas Vingegaard do one thing in Lombardia?
Movistar stored the tempo excessive
The tempo was nonetheless excessive, which meant that many riders needed to let go, together with Vincenzo Nibali. UAE Crew Emirates accelerated once more for Pogačar, this break up the race fully. Attributable to Davide Formolo’s stress, solely a handful of riders may observe and when Pogačar made his transfer, solely Mas may go along with him. Jonas Vingegaard tried to leap, however clearly didn’t have the legs.
Climbing away from Lago di Como, proper previous the impeccable Lodge Il Perlo (white constructing w/ crimson roof) bike lodge – The PEZ will probably be there Oct. seventeenth.
Mas was the stronger climber
Mikel Landa was capable of get to the 2 leaders, however couldn’t observe when first Mas after which Pogačar attacked. The duo had been collectively on the prime of the Civiglio. Landa was not far behind and was capable of catch them on the descent. The three set course for the San Fermo della Battaglia for the final time. Carlos Rodríguez and Sergio Higuita had been chasing behind, however had been already greater than 40 seconds behind.
Landa had a prime efficiency
On the San Fermo della Battaglia the three stayed collectively for a very long time, till Enric Mas threw his gauntlet down. Landa was dropped, however Pogačar wouldn’t be dropped. When Landa returned, Mas tried once more. The outcome was the identical: Landa went was dropped, however Pogačar was capable of observe. Pogačar wished greater than to only observe. The UAE Crew Emirates chief tried to do away with Mas, however the Spaniard held on.
Pogačar and Mas attacked one another within the last
Mas put in some sturdy strikes, however Pogačar managed to cowl them
Pogačar and Mas began the final three, flat kilometres to the end collectively. Landa adopted at 10 seconds and wouldn’t handle to return again. Within the dash for the win, Pogačar was in cost and received his second Il Lombardia in a row. Mikel Landa completed in third place.
After the powerful finalé, the 2022 Il Lombardia would come all the way down to a dash between Tadej Pogačar and Enric Mas
One other win for Tadej Pogačar
Race winner, Tadej Pogačar (UAE Crew Emirates): “It’s actually superb to return again and repeat the victory. I attempted to assault on Civiglio however Mas was clearly on the identical stage as me. I used to be nonetheless assured that I might beat him within the dash. At Giro dell’Emilia, I used to be nonetheless affected by the journey again from Australia, however I’ve felt higher and higher since. This victory makes it an nearly good 2022 season for me.”
The final goodbye to Alejandro Valverde from race organiser Mauro Vegni
2022 Giro di Lombardia End result:
1. Tadej Pogačar (Slo) UAE Crew Emirates in 6:21:22
2. Enric Mas (Spa) Movistar
3. Mikel Landa (Spa) Bahrain-Victorious at 0:10
4. Sergio Higuita (Col) BORA-hansgrohe at 0:52
5. Carlos Rodríguez (Spa) INEOS Grenadiers
6. Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Movistar at 1:24
7. Bauke Mollema (Ned) Trek-Segafredo
8. Rudy Molard (Fra) Groupama-FDJ
9. Romain Bardet (Fra) DSM
10. Adam Yates (GB) INEOS Grenadiers at 1:26.
# Maintain it PEZ for Saturday’s Il Lombardia ‘Race Report’. #
*Due to PCS and WielerFlits for the info, figures and inspiration.
Like PEZ? Why not subscribe to our weekly publication to obtain updates and reminders on what’s cool in street biking?
