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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Okay, last punt at a decal....
1. JRod
2. Dirty VV
3. Meet my Majka
4. Oh Danny Boy
5. Henry Gasparotto
Should be a tight race, weather forecast looks awful, Sky won't even start - that's my prediction, but what do I know
@Gianni
My best this year I think - still visible in the background of Adrian's victory celebration slo-mo replay pounding my handlebars after being boxed in on that final corner.
Two wins this season after coming nowhere in last years VSP. Suprised the doping controle is not knocking on the door.......Better hide the syringes at the back of the fridge!
@the Engine
Don't normally post pictures of myself but your post reminded me of this picture from a race two wweks back. The guy two bikes back: thats the face of someone who has just been outsprinted by a fatboy!
@Adrian
Fuck me! We'll have to rename you Tommeke or Sparticus. Two Classics in one year! Chapeau!
@Pedale.Forchetta
Chapeau sir! What a class act you are. Did you know it was Dirk's last race? I'm sure he was deeply appreciative that there was someone at the end who cared enough to wait for the last finishers. Imagine finishing your last race as a humble pro and there being no-one there (other that team support) who seemed to care? Chapeau too to Dirk for finishing. Many others dropped out but Dirk rode on even though he was 20 minutes down. That's professionalism in my book. For most riders it would not be a high, but Dirk obviously wanted to finish his last race with some pride and dignity (and not DNF) and you helped him do that.
Any more pics to share?
@Adrian
Looks like the guy behind you has also given up in the face of your overwhelming strength! The crowd are also digging your application of the V.
@Pedale.Forchetta
Well, then it's a good thing you are an amateur photographer because, as you said, these are the important photos to take. I bet no one got a photo of DZ as he got off his bike somewhere before the finish. Don't you want to finish your last race?
This from Juan Antonio Flecha, I look forward to seeing him out on the water.
"I say goodbye to cycling forever at the Tour of Beijing," he continued. "I cannot wait to finish that race in mid-October and go to Maui, Hawaii, with an open date on the return ticket.
"I'll swap the asphalt for the foam of the waves, the bike for the surfboard, and walk barefoot all day, and be free."
@Pedale.Forchetta nothing amateur about that photo.