Il Lombardia 2023

[AmRacer]

The LBL battle wasn't meant to happen. Hopefully we will get a real battle before winter break.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1703819333665767758

View: https://twitter.com/LasterketaBurua/status/1703819333665767758

 

[Netserk]

I don't even know the route yet.

 

[Eeslliw]

This could be one of the better editions of Il Lombardia.

TADEJ POGAČAR: heavily motivated, two time winner of this race and wants to end the season on a high note.
REMCO EVENEPOEL: who wants to show he didn't win LBL just because Pogacar crashed out and will be even more motivated after this Vuelta disappointment.
PRIMOŽ ROGLIČ: surely this race would make a very nice addition to his palmares, he shouldn't be too burned out because of the light season calendar (compared to previous years).
JONAS VINGEGAARD: he wasn't close in recent years, but I am sure he will want to show to himself and others he can win big one day races.

and of course SEPP KUSS as GT winner, who will be just warmed up for Il Lombardia after doing three GTs in a season.

 

[Red Rick]

I thought this post would have the route.

I am had.

 

[Ricco']

This is why imo Lombardia is the lesser monument nowadays and by far.

If being so dislocated from the rest of them would be enough per se, how can someone generate anticipation and interest for their race if less than a month before the race the exact route isn't known.

I've found a unknown website selling VIP tickets for 2023 Lombardia finish in Como, so I guess it ends there again this year.

 

[Nick2413]

I’m not so sure about Pogacar. He’s drained and missing prep races. Remco could go either way.

 

[tobydawq]

I’m not so sure about Pogacar. He’s drained and missing prep races. Remco could go either way.

Missing prep races? I think he will do a bunch (okay, maybe just two) Italian one-day races. I don't think much more is needed.

 

[RedheadDane]

The LBL battle wasn't meant to happen. Hopefully we will get a real battle before winter break.

Are you gonna edit the opening post to include the route once it gets out?

 

[Nick2413]

Missing prep races? I think he will do a bunch (okay, maybe just two) Italian one-day races. I don't think much more is needed.

It’s just a feeling he’s gassed so much he won’t be able to hit a new mini peak. But nothing would surprise me.

 

[Netserk]

JONAS VINGEGAARD: he wasn't close in recent years, but I am sure he will want to show to himself and others he can win big one day races.

He ends his season in Madrid. Well deserved so.

 

[ice&fire]

I don't get why we or the riders need to know the route. Wouldn't it be enough to let them know the distance and tell them to follow the moto?

 

[Netserk]

I doubt he'll be in good enough form, but in another year I think Skjelmose could do well here. Likewise for Pidcock and Healy. Maybe Madouas will feature in the finale?

 

[iBanesto]

I don't get why we or the riders need to know the route. Wouldn't it be enough to let them know the distance and tell them to follow the moto?

So Evenepoel doesn't crash again.

 

[RedheadDane]

I don't get why we or the riders need to know the route. Wouldn't it be enough to let them know the distance and tell them to follow the moto?

The riders would probably need to know the route...
People living in the area would also need to know if their streets are going to be blocked.
But everyone else? Naah...

 

[Netserk]

I've found a unknown website selling VIP tickets for 2023 Lombardia finish in Como, so I guess it ends there again this year.

As I guess Sormano is somehow still off-limits, I fear we'll get served the same route again ...

 

[Potomac]

Pugotchya

because he was the only choice

 

[perico]

Depends if Mas comes out of Vuelta like he did last year with similar form. I could see a repeat of he and Pogacar on the podium. He was on fire in the last part of the season.

 

[Miss Violet Smith]

My vote goes to Mas.

ETA: Obviously I would like Pogačar to win! Just not sure his form is going to be good enough.

 

[Eddy Evenepoel]

Given Remco is struggling with his form now I dont expect him to be in great form in October.
I think Pogacar will be untouchable, but hopefully Mas is in similar form as last autumn.

 

[Devil's Elbow]

If it's the same route as last year: Pogacar will be nearly impossible to drop, it's unlikely anyone who can outsprint Pogacar can climb with him, and it's a bad route for tactical racing... QED? Fully expect him to be the record winner of this one by the time he retires.

 

[Red Rick]

If it's the same route as last year: Pogacar will be nearly impossible to drop, it's unlikely anyone who can outsprint Pogacar can climb with him, and it's a bad route for tactical racing... QED? Fully expect him to be the record winner of this one by the time he retires.

Pogacar may be worse than last year because he didn't exactly exit the World Champs very fresh.

Also, physics determines we never get a proper battle between Roglic and Pogacar again, and it may hit Pog this time around.

 

[Devil's Elbow]

Pogacar may be worse than last year because he didn't exactly exit the World Champs very fresh.

Also, physics determines we never get a proper battle between Roglic and Pogacar again, and it may hit Pog this time around.

He looked tired pretty much every race between the Tour and Lombardia in 2021 and proceeded to win easily. He'll scrape together decent-at-worst form once again, and a decent Pogacar is very much good enough to win the majority of the time in Lombardia.

 

[Netserk]

If it's the same route as last year: Pogacar will be nearly impossible to drop, it's unlikely anyone who can outsprint Pogacar can climb with him, and it's a bad route for tactical racing... QED? Fully expect him to be the record winner of this one by the time he retires.

We could get a 2019 scenario on Civiglio.

 

[Red Rick]

He looked tired pretty much every race between the Tour and Lombardia in 2021 and proceeded to win easily. He'll scrape together decent-at-worst form once again, and a decent Pogacar is very much good enough to win the majority of the time in Lombardia.

For me it depends on why Rog shits the bed at Lombardia. I hope he does it and doesn't overrace before it this season.

 

[Devil's Elbow]

We could get a 2019 scenario on Civiglio.

Think that's a much less likely scenario without Sormano coming before it. No Sormano makes the Como finish really easy to control for UAE.

For me it depends on why Rog shits the bed at Lombardia. I hope he does it and doesn't overrace before it this season.

Race length. His trackrecord at monument-length races is way too extensive to excuse the amount of times he's underwhelmed in them. Would be a far bigger talking point had Alaphilippe not gifted him a win he would never have gotten otherwise in the only long one-day race he's ever finished in the front group in.