Il Lombardia Historical past: Il Lombardia is the final Monument of the season, so possibly all the massive stars should not on the start-line, however the north Italian Traditional is one race that everybody desires to win. The Classica delle foglie morte (“the Traditional of the falling (useless) leaves”) has a variety 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 one of the best ambiance.
The followers find it irresistible!
Lots of that is as a result of time of yr, the late summer season interval, and that the season is approaching its finish and it’s time suppose again with nostalgia on all the pieces that occurred through the previous biking yr. In Italy the race can also 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 highway season, a final probability saloon for any under-achieving group chief. Up till this yr and the ‘Tremendous Worlds’, Lombardia was the primary massive race to see the rainbow jersey.
Oscar Camenzind in 1998
A ‘no-body’ (nearly) by no means wins Lombardia. The celebs 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 struggle. Then after the primary struggle after which throughout and after the second world struggle, 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.
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 have 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 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-San Remo thrice, Paris-Roubaix 4 instances, the Tour of Flanders, Liège-Bastogne-Liège, Tirreno-Adriatico seven instances 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 file 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 stated 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 in addition in opposition to prime riders from the classics. In case you might say in Italy that you’ve 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 may’t do something in Lombardy when you don’t like climbing. However when you can and wish to try this, Lombardy is admittedly one of the best,” the two-time winner stated 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 have 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 remaining.
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 may 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 remaining circuit of 22km. After passing the town centre of Como the race climbs by way 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 couple of kilometre later the robust climb in direction of Civiglio (614m) will start with slopes averaging round 10%, earlier than going again by way of Como to climb San Fermo della Battaglia for a second time. The final 10km is contained in the city of Como, following extensive 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 slim carriageway and tough highway floor. Round 5km from the end, a number of hairpins function earlier than the highest of the climb. The descent on extensive, well-paved highway with two well-lit tunnels and two massive roundabouts. At 600m from the end, there’s a final extensive 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, have been using the final race of their profession. Proper from the beginning there have been assaults. Élie Gesbert was the primary to take a spot, 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. They’d a small lead on the Forcellino di Bianzano.
The beginning of the final Monument of the season
Behind; a bunch of eight have been chasing, six of them finally 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 larger as Movistar, Jumbo-Visma and UAE Workforce Emirates began to tug within the peloton and the hole rapidly narrowed to underneath 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 way in which in 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 Workforce Emirates. They have 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 Workforce Emirates accelerated once more for Pogačar, this cut up the race fully. As a result of Davide Formolo’s strain, solely a handful of riders might comply with and when Pogačar made his transfer, solely Mas might 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 Resort Il Perlo (white constructing w/ purple roof) bike lodge – The PEZ will likely be there Oct. seventeenth.
Mas was the stronger climber
Mikel Landa was capable of get to the 2 leaders, however couldn’t comply with when first Mas after which Pogačar attacked. The duo have 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 have been chasing behind, however have 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 comply with. Pogačar needed greater than to only comply with. The UAE Workforce Emirates chief tried to do away with Mas, however the Spaniard held on.
Pogačar and Mas attacked one another within the remaining
Mas put in some robust 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 come back 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 robust 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 Workforce Emirates): “It’s actually wonderful to come back again and repeat the victory. I attempted to assault on Civiglio however Mas was clearly on the identical degree as me. I used to be nonetheless assured that I’d 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 excellent 2022 season for me.”
The final goodbye to Alejandro Valverde from race organiser Mauro Vegni
2022 Giro di Lombardia Consequence:
1. Tadej Pogačar (Slo) UAE Workforce 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.
# Preserve it PEZ for Saturday’s Il Lombardia ‘Race Report’. #
*Because of PCS and WielerFlits for the info, figures and inspiration.
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