Il Lombardia, this is the race of the fallen leaves. This fall classic is a beautiful race in a beautiful region of Italy. The arduous route may change year to year but what does not change is the Italian need to win this thing. There is some national pride at stake here after the Italian men finished off the podium in Firenze. Bergamo to Lecco, 242 km, with five equally spaced climbs between the two. This is the final Monument of the 2013 season, directly on the heels of the World Championships. Purito won the 2012 edition of Il Lombardia and will be energized to win again after his crushing loss in the Worlds. Paulo Bettini won the race in his rainbow jersey, Rui Costa can’t be counted out not to do the same.
Many racers have already shut it down for the season. Finding great form in October is not for everyone. Yet peaking for the World Championships and Il Lombardia has been on the calendar for many of the puncheurs and strong climbers. And many others will be climbing off at the first feed zone, pulling into the Milano Malpensa airport before the race is over.
Yes this is a brutal race often won by a lone rider. Climbing, descending, good bike handling a must when the forecast calls for possible rain (yes it does again this year).
The toughest climb is in the middle of the day.
A few hundred meters after crossing Maglio the race turns to the left into the Muro di Sormano (Sormano Wall) (2 km at 15%) on a narrow and very steep (recently repaired) road, partly running through a grove, featuring steep u-bends and gradients at time exceeding 25% and even coming close to 30% around meter 1.000 of the route.
That should separate the contenders from those dismounting at the second feed zone on the course. The climbs of Madonna del Ghisallo and Villa Vergano are waiting then a final 3 km flat run into Lecco ends it. A proper start list is not yet available as the director sportifs are still calling in the unwilling domestiques to fill out their rosters but for now this will have to do. Good luck and good picking.
Here is a possible video link.
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@Buck Rogers
He's been quiet this year: nice to see him animating the final race of the season.
@Steampunk
Great ride by him. Pure respect. Also great attack and ride by J Rod. Good day and great race overall.
@Buck Rogers
there you go.
Purito, Dirty, Majka, Martin...looked like Gasparotto who almost pipped Martin at the line? Martin seemed to have a mechanical or crash coming into the finishing straight?
Congrats to JRod...this has to take much of the sting of last week away. For Valverde though...another middle stepper can't feel that great.
@Mikael Liddy
Two out of the five with one in the correct place. Could be worse.
All right Adrian! Congratulations to you and Sir J Rod. For those lucky enough to actually watch the race it sounded like a good 'un. It was Dave Z's last race, I hope he finished it.
Paris-Tours up next, the last gasp.
@mobygrape
Just saw your name. Are you a Cannon Cliffs climber per chance???
@xyxax
Thanks for that! In the end I cut my losses and went for a ride and left my frustration out on the road.
@V-inden
The finish of the race froze for me, but I was confident by that point it was going to Rodriguez. It was a perfect time to suit up and hit some hills. At least one thing went my way today.
A bit like my race season, the VSP comes good at the end. Today netted me a 3rd in the VSP and a win in our club hill climb; quite happy with that considering 2 years ago if have called myself a downhiller.