Il Lombardia 2023

[RedheadDane]

Is this the last race for Pinot? If so he should win it.

It is.
Awesome as that would be, I don't think it's very likely.

 

[KZD]

If it is the only mountains classic it should have more mountains or a bit harder mountains.

Lombardia was never a 'mountains classic' in the sense of the Ventoux challenge for example, it has historically presented either a route with some medium mountains like this year or some hills like last year but the pure climbers can still do pretty well like Mas or Landa showed us last year.

Pogačar is obvious favourite for this race, he has won the race, the two times he has started and also has the best combination of climbing ability, endurance and sprint. However if Remco and Roglič show up close to top shape they will be dangerous. UAE can also play the numbers card with guys like Adam Yates or Hirschi, interesting to see Ayuso rides it too.

 

[Lequack]

So all these riders only have a chance of winning because Vinge and GC Kuss won't compete.

 

[Skijumper Roglic fan]

It is.
Awesome as that would be, I don't think it's very likely.

I even noticed Groupama rides Lombardia with

Pinot,
Gaudu,
Martinez and
Gregoire.

So the two old guns, and the two young guns. Gaudu might do well, and it should suit Gregoire. Pinot - depends on if he prepares well, one last time.

 

[CyclistAbi]

Why haven't the organizers published the route yet, I wonder? It seems like very last minute stuff.

As said by @Lequack we should know more tomorrow. We already know the field will be strong. Lets hope the route will allow for a spectacle!

 

[CyclistAbi]

Roglič still has third week monster caged up.

P.S. Would vote for him, but poll is crocked.

 

[Carols]

Roglič still has third week monster caged up.

P.S. Would vote for him, but poll is crocked.

I voted Other which is Rogla,

 

[topcat]

I agree with everyone that the Vuelta was a disgusting race and it’s time to move onto Lombardia. I’m confident it will actually be raced. Shockingly the 3 favourites (Pog, Remco and Roglic) are all on different teams which is a breath of fresh air.

 

[CyclistAbi]

I voted Other which is Rogla,

There is only one Rogla. Somebody else is not it!

 

[Gigs_98]

I dislike this route with a passion. I don't think Civiglio-SFDB is perfect either, but at least those two climbs have a nice flow. And when it comes to finishes in Bergamo, 2016 is such an obvious example for how to do it better. This finish...it's all about one climb and then that climb isn't even exciting.

Is it @Netserk who is a strong proponent of Madonna-Sormano-SFDB (so skipping Civiglio)? Whoever it is, I was rather opposed to the idea for some time because as a big Nibali fan I will always have a soft spot for Civiglio, but the more I think of it, the more I think it's by far the best option out there. The racing would start much earlier, the Muro di Sormano would actually become a crucial point of the race, and I think the long flat section before the final climb might actually make the race more open to riders who aren't pure climbers again.

 

[Devil's Elbow]

Is it @Netserk who is a strong proponent of Madonna-Sormano-SFDB (so skipping Civiglio)? Whoever it is, I was rather opposed to the idea for some time because as a big Nibali fan I will always have a soft spot for Civiglio, but the more I think of it, the more I think it's by far the best option out there. The racing would start much earlier, the Muro di Sormano would actually become a crucial point of the race, and I think the long flat section before the final climb might actually make the race more open to riders who aren't pure climbers again.

The other option is to go Ghisallo-Sormano-Ghisallo and skip both Civiglio and San Fermo. It makes the most historic climb the focal point, it forces a longer finale, and you can throw in some hills between Ghisallo and Como to play the Tiegemberg or Geulhemmerberg-Bemelerberg role of hindering any larger chasing groups and providing launchpads for late attacks.

Example route:

This would be my preferred option for a Como finish, and also a Lecco finish if it ever happens again. As for Bergamo, you can’t really improve on the 2016 route, and it’s a crying shame that the current iterations of both finishes are so much worse than what we had in the second half of the 2010s.

 

[ashhutch1997]

The other option is to go Ghisallo-Sormano-Ghisallo and skip both Civiglio and San Fermo. It makes the most historic climb the focal point, it forces a longer finale, and you can throw in some hills between Ghisallo and Como to play the Tiegemberg or Geulhemmerberg-Bemelerberg role of hindering any larger chasing groups and providing launchpads for late attacks.

Example route:

This would be my preferred option for a Como finish, and also a Lecco finish if it ever happens again. As for Bergamo, you can’t really improve on the 2016 route, and it’s a crying shame that the current iterations of both finishes are so much worse than what we had in the second half of the 2010s.

I think the 2018 route worked out well, without San Fermo (I think roadworks at the time?). If memory serves me correct the race winning break went away over Sormano.
If they finish in Bergemo, then I have no idea why they wouldn't do the 2016 route, that was a fabulous race.

 

[tobydawq]

It is.
Awesome as that would be, I don't think it's very likely.

Why do you keep saying that? It's not that impossible, the guy was 5th in the Giro and has won the race before.

 

[wheresmybrakes]

The great WLMHP, if he races.

 

[RedheadDane]

Why do you keep saying that? It's not that impossible, the guy was 5th in the Giro and has won the race before.

I know it's not impossible, but... err...

Spoiler

When Pinot won the race, he was at the height of his career, now... things are different.

Of course, I would love to be wrong, but I don't wanna get my hopes up. Mainly I just hope to see him race and aggressive race, no matter what the final result is.

 

[OlavEH]

Pretty mediocre route. The 2016 version to Bergamo would have been much more interesting. And if they absolutely have to come from the east and to Ganda, they should have includeded something like the climb to La Baita or something similar.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

slander, i miss rog in poll

 

[tobydawq]

Of course, I would love to be wrong, but I don't wanna get my hopes up.

But why not? I hoped Valverde would win last year.

But yeah, Pogi will of course win.

 

[Ilmaestro99]

Bah, it will be the same route as in 2021:

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

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


If only they had done Selvino after Ganda ...

OMGGGGG Passo della crocetta, Passo di Ganda, and finish in bergamo. It's literally made for Fausto. Pogacar, remco and roglic better prepare their painface.

 

[Netserk]

I dislike this route with a passion. I don't think Civiglio-SFDB is perfect either, but at least those two climbs have a nice flow. And when it comes to finishes in Bergamo, 2016 is such an obvious example for how to do it better. This finish...it's all about one climb and then that climb isn't even exciting.

Is it @Netserk who is a strong proponent of Madonna-Sormano-SFDB (so skipping Civiglio)? Whoever it is, I was rather opposed to the idea for some time because as a big Nibali fan I will always have a soft spot for Civiglio, but the more I think of it, the more I think it's by far the best option out there. The racing would start much earlier, the Muro di Sormano would actually become a crucial point of the race, and I think the long flat section before the final climb might actually make the race more open to riders who aren't pure climbers again.

I’m a strong proponent of Muro di Sormano before Ghisallo and the easy side of Civiglio like in the 00s. Alternatively, Sormano in the opposite direction before Ghisallo if the descent is off-limits.

As mentioned in another thread, I think Ganda would work well if it was followed by the full Selvino ascent.

Il Lombardia, alternative

247.5 km, +5389 m. Bike ride in Como, LOM

ridewithgps.com

 

[Rob5091]

According to PCS - we're in for a re-match of the "Battle of the Lennys"! Get ready to rumble!
What's the odds for Hirschi going up the road and everyone looking at each other? He does look in top form.

 

[CyclistAbi]

We missed you guys.

 

[topcat]

OMGGGGG Passo della crocetta, Passo di Ganda, and finish in bergamo. It's literally made for Fausto. Pogacar, remco and roglic better prepare their painface.

Fausto will drag Remco away from the sprinters and the two of them will tear shreds off each other in a cage battle for the ages to decide the winner.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

@CyclistAbi It's unbelievable but this rivalry is almost non existent. Their last race together was TdF 2022 (where Primoz withdrew but together with Fisherman managed to break Pog) while the last race that both finished was Lombardy in 2021. Almost 2 years ago! Good that they are back together for Emillia and Lombardia.

 

[Eeslliw]

Can't wait to see reactions on this forum when Remco outsprints Pogi for the win.