Il Lombardia 2016, Oct 1st

[Eshnar]

We're almost there! The last monument and one of the last races of the year.

One of the hardest Lombardia routes ever.

Provisional Startlist:
http://static2.ilombardia.it/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/CI0109PAR_lomb.pdf

 

[jsem94]

Sick route. Sad Nibali isn't here to defend his win.

 

[Velolover2]

The double for Wout?

 

[DNP-Old]

Chaves to win.

 

[Velolover2]

Wonder what shape Rodriguez is in? He has to do well in his last race (?) after all. The finale reminds me of the 2012/2013 version. It's just much harder stage overall.

 

[WheelofGear]

I think it's between Chaves, Martin and Poels.

 

[fauniera]

Would prefer a finish in Como, but if you have to finish in Bergamo, this is a good route. A flat bit before Bergamo is unavoidable anyway.

 

[veji11]

A great route, but sadly teams of 8 are likely to mean that a strong team like Astana or Movistar pulls most of the time and brings a leading group of 20/25 riders to the last hill. It's a shame because with smaller teams this is a route where you'd see old fashioned racing, with a group of favourites seperating itself from the rest long before the finish.. Still I hope we will see a big move before the last climb, it'd be a welcome change..

 

[Oliver]

No Valverde?

 

[railxmig]

Interesting that i see some guys calling it a great route. It looks flashy on the paper but the last two climbs are rather easy. I guess there'll be around 30-man group before the Bergamo Alta hill. Maybe if the Sant'Antonio climb would be switched with Miragolo and scrath that Selvino false flat then it could be more threatening. I guess the last hill in Bergamo will be cobbled so it reminds of a harder LBL. Bardet could be a good try but i would maybe risk Tim Wellens unless he will be here. If not then maybe Dan Martin. Even if Nibali would be here i'm not sure if Selvino and flat 13km before Bergamo wouldn't kill any of his actions while that Bergamo hill doesn't really suit him IMHO.

 

[Laplaz]

It will be carnage. The strongest rider will win this. Chaves vs. Poels vs. Bardet vs. Aru

 

[Gigs_98]

With such a route it should be a great race. Most riders can't expect to drop everyone on that last little hill and the penultimate climb is easy too. Therefore teams like Astana will want to let the race explode early.
Aru ftw.

 

[Samamba]

The weather could make it extra hard.

 

[Tank Engine]

Interesting that i see some guys calling it a great route. It looks flashy on the paper but the last two climbs are rather easy. I guess there'll be around 30-man group before the Bergamo Alta hill. Maybe if the Sant'Antonio climb would be switched with Miragolo and scrath that Selvino false flat then it could be more threatening. I guess the last hill in Bergamo will be cobbled so it reminds of a harder LBL. Bardet could be a good try but i would maybe risk Tim Wellens unless he will be here. If not then maybe Dan Martin. Even if Nibali would be here i'm not sure if Selvino and flat 13km before Bergamo wouldn't kill any of his actions while that Bergamo hill doesn't really suit him IMHO.

The Valcava and Sant'Antonio are way harder than anything in LBL. After these two climbs the riders will be spread out over the parcours. From 130-220km, the profile is saw-toothed. OK the final couple of climbs are a bit easier and will lead to a small regroupment (especially with the flat section before the final climb), but I think that there will be at most10-15 guys within shooting distance of the lead coming up to the final climb and only 2 or 3 of those will really be in shape to compete for the win on the final climb.

I like the parcours, since there will be relatively early action on the hardest climbs which will not let up. However, due to the flat section, the race will probably come down to the final short climb. This course is too hard for Wellens and I think Martin would prefer a somewhat easier parcours. I think that only the strongest climbers will be in shape to attack on the final climb and hope to see a duel between Chaves and Bardet.

 

[TromleTromle]

What a route. and if the weathers turns sour - this will be epic.
If just of the GT's picked up a race design as this one for its medium mountain stages...

P.S. F*** Qatar - who's needs a circuit - just redo Il Lombarda for the UCI RR WC

 

[Red Rick]

This is the kind of route that produces a great race or a super bad one. And it only takes a few agressive riders to make it's a great one. The pure climbers HAVE to go from 40+ km out. Over the last 100km, you have a great spread of where riders with specific characteristics need to make their move. Great route.

I would love to see this as a Giro stage.

 

[DBotero]

Wout ftw!
Hopefully Valverde will join J.Rod at the start as we missed their duel in La Vuelta.I'm waiting for Uran&the Yates to do good here.

 

[liamito]

Wout ftw!
Hopefully Valverde will join J.Rod at the start as we missed their duel in La Vuelta.I'm waiting for Uran&the Yates to do good here.

The Yates look done to me, will all be about Chavito.

 

[F e r o x]

Wellens can't lose when it's one of those days you can't see the motors 10 metres in front because of the rain.

 

[Maaaaaaaarten]

Great route!

 

[Echoes]

Wout ftw!

He'll sure win in Neerpelt while Tim wins in Como

I predicted Tim one year ago, remember.

 

[Brullnux]

I've said it before, but the hill to Bergamo Alta is really avoidable.

 

[Billie]

Il Padre di San Bonifacio will finally win!!! Vai vai davide

25 seasons after first finishing top 10 _0_ _0_ _0_

 

[Flamin]

Great route but I miss Nibali. Should still be a good show though.

Any news about the weather?

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

I wonder how Dumoulin will go. He already lost weight for his GC 2017 plan. This will be a decent test