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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Haven't got a scoobies..I am tempted to go for Dirty Bertie but I think this is too long and I am not sure of his form. Nicos form is getting better and better and Uran has something to prove he looked so good in the Worlds before his crash. The rest are tired but JRod will have fire in his belly and Betancur has been quiet since early season so could come in strong.
Now if you believe any of that then you are as full of shit as me!
VSP PICKS:
1. D'Uran D'Uran
2. Nico Roche
3. JRod
4. Costa Coffee Rui
5. Betancur Carlos the Jackal
VSP PICKS:
1. J Rod
2. Gilbert
3. Uran
4. Moreno
5. Martin
Tour of Lombardy is on eurosport tomorrow!
In for a pennI, in for a Euro
VSP PICKS:
1. Rui costa
2. Dan Moreno
3. Sagan
4. Voeckler
5. Nibali
VSP PICKS:
1. Dan Martin
2. Cunego
3. Rodriguez
4. Pellizotti
5. Sagan
Valverde will be racing angry
VSP PICKS:
1. Valverde
2. Nibali
3. J-Rod
4. Ulissi
5. Uran
@xyxax
Sounds probable: It's what I do for a living...
Nibbles will break the Spanish armada as they all stare each other down.
VSP PICKS:
1. Nibali
2. Perrenial second Purito
3. Valverde
4. Contador
5. Daniel Martin
Marco Pinotti will retire after this race , good luck Marco !!
VSP PICKS:
1. J Rod
2. Uran
3. Contador
4. Costa
5. Martin