Race of the Falling Leaves.

Last Classic (EPIC) of the season before they all head to hotter climes..

Best Race Of The Year, no question.

On Eurosport from 1430..

Or fly over and join the crowds on the Madonna del Ghisallo’s steps (if you can get a place)

So looking forward to this..

I struggle with Lombardy. In March I’m all over every belgium semi classic but come October I always feel all raced out, Worlds is about my limit. Plus cyclocross has started.

I struggle with Lombardy.

😯

How it’s arguably the best race on the calendar, great riders, great scenery, exciting racing. And the winners list really is full of class.

Watch Phil Gil’s Lombardia victory in 2010 – drops everyone on the final descent in the rain – awesome.

Do enjoy the late season Italian races. Nibali will be up for it, looks on form with 2nd in Tre Valli Varesine, and he won last time Lombarida ran this route. Strong field though.

And I have a minor op on Friday so will legitimately be able to put my feet up and sit in front of the telly all day 8)

Noted, fancy a last dose of racing before the snow sports begin on Eurosport.

Oh and don’t forget Milan-Torino tomorrow and Paris-Tours on Sunday.

And the winners list really is full of class.

last chance saloon for all those who’ve had a rubbish season more like

Preview here…

Six things to look out for at Il Lombardia

last chance saloon for all those who’ve had a rubbish season more like

No doubt there will be some desperate for a result…. but looking at the teams… QS bring Martin, Alaphilippe and Gilbert. Sky have Kiwatkowski, Landa, Poles and De Rosa. Sunweb bring Dumoulin, Barguil and Matthews. You have Astana with Aru, Lopez and Fuglsang. LS with DeGendt, Wellens and Galopin. Then there’s Nibali, Uran, Pinot, Quintana, Pozzovivo, Rui Costa, Roglic and more! Any of those are potential winners.

Edit.. quality start list…

Il Lombardia 2019: Confirmed start list

TBH I think it’s one of the best of the year where it’s not which one of Sagan or GVA will win it, or a foregone Valverde conclusion.

That maybe true but you can’t tell me that the likes of Chaves, Martin, Nibali, Gilbert, JRod, Bettini, Cunego and Bartoli, to name some from the last 15 years aren’t class riders. All riders with either Grand Tour podiums or other monument wins.

Best Race Of The Year, no question.

Meh. It isn’t even in Belgium.

Was Moscon down to ride Lombardia? Looks to be in a spot of bother yet again!

but come October I always feel all raced out

You clearly enter too many races. Have a word with your manager or DS.

Was Moscon down to ride Lombardia? Looks to be in a spot of bother yet again!

yeah, got his thumb trapped in a car door, I heard (Italian cars – notoriously poor panel fit. Just ask Vincenzo)

Was Moscon down to ride Lombardia? Looks to be in a spot of bother yet again!
yeah, got his thumb trapped in a car door, I heard (Italian cars – notoriously poor panel fit. Just ask Vincenzo)

Old news. More recently here.

Back to Lombardy, a riders to watch here.

Into the last 40k of Milan Torino too, approaching first time up Superga with the break almost reeled in.

Be nice to see Alaphilippe win this, a fairly decent gap with 19k to go.

Some beautiful scenery in this race.

Oh dear, blobbers. Hadn’t seen that – Moscon’s quite the character isn’t he

Spoiler alert:

Spolier alert:

Poor Alaphilippe – he’s becoming my go-to guy for an ill-fated punt off the front 🙁

Strong from Uran again though

Wow. Urans doubled his tally of race victories!

😀

hated him for getting utterly mugged-off by Vino in the olympics but he’s looked pretty good this year

Il Lombardia Preview

I’m rooting for my fave Belgian, Mr Gilbert.

Though he’s going to have to pull his finger out because if anything, he’s going to have an awful lot of company sucking his wheel….

I can’t wait.

I’m rooting for Alaphilippe, though as inrng suggests, he needs to be cunning and bide his time. Seems to be the in form quick stepper.

Yes, looking forward to Il Lombardia. Weather looks ropey where I live so I won’t feel too guilty staying in for the afternoon. And then that’s pretty much it until the Strade Bianche next March. Been an entertaining year for bike racing fans I think.

mugged

you spelt “bought” wrong 👿

Lombardia also means full mudguards on club runs (until Milan San Remo, obvs).

Be great to see Phil Gil book-end his season, but I’m also a fan of Alaphilippe and his aggressive (if often futile) attacking racing.

More preview…

Preview: What you need to know about Il Lombardia, the season’s last Monument

Well I wasn’t going to watch it, but I’ve been convinced.

Anywhere to watch it with out eurosport sub?

Poor Alaphilippe

It’s just youthful enthusiasm. He’ll come good and nail the big wins at some point.

All seems to be going as expected so far. Break allowed to go now slowly being reeled in. Mostly by Cannondale and Bahrain. Some Movistar too, wonder who they are riding for today?

Live on Eurosport from 1430..

Do you know if they’ve been up the Ghiselo yet?

Just been up it. Coverage without commentary is on eurosport player now. Starting the Sormano now.

Oh sh*t, DePlus just gone over a barrier on the descent 😯 Hope he’s ok.

holy moly that looked nasty

Gilbert on the move with 33k to go. Probably a roll of the dice with plan B to set up Alaphilippe?

From cyclingnews…

Reports coming in that there are four doctors with De Plus at the moment. Still no word on his condition.

😐

I’ve done the Ghisalo/Muro di Sormano/descent to lake. Amazing route.

Nasty crash, fingers crossed.

He’s fine, statement just issued.

No serious injuries for DePlus. Bit of a relief.

Cycling news feed is reporting that he’s talking and seems to have avoided any major injuries..! 😀

No serious injuries for De Plus according to Eurosport and Twitter.

Anyone got an update on De Plu…

Oh. We all have.