Il Lombardia or the Race of the falling leaves is the last monumental race of the cycling season, that, is held in the autumn (unlike four other monuments that are held in spring) and traditionally is the last major race of the year. By the start, almost all riders have a difficult season behind them, and thousands of racing kilometers in their legs, that together with a heavy and long route makes Lombardia a real challenge for all its participants.

The first Il Lombardia was held in 1905. Unlike other monuments, the race was held during the World War I, but it was canceled during WWII only in 1943 and 1944. So this year we could watch the 112th edition of Lombardia.

This year race track traditionally lied in the beautiful places of Bergamo and Como, that together with autumnal landscapes, makes the race one of the most picturesque one in the whole season. The route was similar to the last editions of the race with the exception of the last kilometers, where the organizers had to abandon the hill San Fermo della Betaglia due to a landslide, and replaced it with a shorter and less complicated one. The length of the distance was 241 kilometers, during which the riders were expected to go through 5 ascents, the most famous of them is Madonna del Ghizallo (8.5 kilometers, average gradient - 6.2%, maximum - 14%). But it is known not for the difficulty but for the church of Madonna del Ghizallo, who is considered the patroness of cyclists, that is located on its top. Its bells traditionally meet and greet the participants of Lombardia.

And some words about the race) The breakaway was made by eight cyclists at its beginning and was eliminated 50 kilometers before the finish thanks to the efforts of LottoNL-Jumbo. Its racers extremely accelerated the pace at the hill Muro di Sormano that allowed them not only reach the breakaway, but also to decrease number of racers in peloton. It was done also to prepare the attack of their leader Primoz Roglic, who accelerated shortly after the elimination of the break. Thibaut Pinot (Groupama FDJ) and Vincenzo Nibali (Bahrain Merida) attacked in a one kilometer. Both pursuers reached Roglic at the end of the hill, and a little later Egan Bernal (Sky) joined them. But both the Slovenian and the Colombian dropped out the leading group at the beginning of the Civiglio hill. During the ascent, Pinot tried to breakaway from Nibali several times, and almost at the very end of the hill he succeeded. At the top of Civiglio, the Frenchman's advantage was about 20 seconds.

Pinot's increased his advantage during the road to finish line. The same time Nibali began to lose second against the pursuers among whom was a new world champion, Alejandro Valverde (Movistar). At the point 5 kilometers before the finish It became clear that nothing threats the victory of the Frenchman, but there would be a fight for the second place. 3 kilometers before the finish The italian was caiught by peloton, but he made attack attempt again in the last two kilometers. As a result the race was won by Thibaut Pinot, the second was Vincenzo Nibali with a gap of 32 seconds from the winner and an advantage of 11 seconds over the pursuers , and the third place was taken by Dylan Teyns (BMC Racing).

And in the end - some picturesque photos from the race.

Cycling / 2018

Last Monument: Race of falling leaves

Last Monument: Race of falling leaves

Last Monument: Race of falling leaves