Il Lombardia 2025, monument, October 11

[solo80k]

I don't know if you can get Mexican algorithm stuff where you are at, but Isaac Del Toro has said multiple things about Rafal Majka being a big motivation and someone who was pushing him before Giro breakout.
Majka is very personable and professional from what I took away from it.
Del Toro seems to have a soft spot for McNulty, Majka and Pogacar for pushing him to work hard.
Some of the stuff is on Facebook and Instagram.

I've seen Majka being used a coach rider for Del Toro this season, he was basically Del Toro's wingman. Apparently he developed himself to become a coach. I think it's a very good thing for Majka as he knows all about the sacrifice and pain from rider's perspective.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

Fair.
I know Remco is stronger but in this course I expected Del Toro to suck Remco's wheel until the end.

200 km barrier killed The Bull, as always.

 

[Unchained]

Noteworthy post in the live race commentary:

Completely crazy! Remco said himself in all the interviews that he came to win not get any additional honorable mentions. Guy is digging himself a mental canyon to crawl out of, everywhere he shows up, every time he gets his ass handed to him via a Slovenian slaughterhouse. He needs to change his name to bridesmaid.

 

[YavorD]

Fair.
I know Remco is stronger but in this course I expected Del Toro to suck Remco's wheel until the end.

Did you miss these extra 41 kilometers today?
I have no doubt Del Toro would've been up there in real race with a proper <200 kilometers distance.

 

[Miha81]

Noteworthy post in the live race commentary:

Would be legendary end to a season for him if Pog was not there.

 

[dobrien]

Bummed Simmons was not rewarded with a podium after such a great ride, but he has improved massively this season and is on a great trajectory. A very long race and he dusted some seriously strong riders. He is going to get a big one next season if he keeps this up; chapeau!!

 

[Netserk]

21'10 on Ganda @Netserk

Supersonic indeed. Which is why Simmons was only ever an annoyance for other teams.

 

[houtdffan]

Noteworthy post in the live race commentary:

and his 3 seconds have been solos way ahead of the rest

 

[AlpRaid]

21'10 on Ganda @Netserk

Again 24-25 Pog has nothing to do with 23 Pog.

 

[Netserk]

Big shoutout to Jay Vine. Really set a hard pace that Pog can easily accelerate away off.

V$ne must ride the Tour next year.

 

[Cycling111]

Pello Bilbao in penultimate position and, Ganna in last position. To put Simmons' performance into perspective. Incredible.

I think he would have been third from the peloton.

It's a shame we didn't see how he dropped Del Toro..

 

[Unchained]

I've seen Majka being used a coach rider for Del Toro this season, he was basically Del Toro's wingman. Apparently he developed himself to become a coach. I think it's a very good thing for Majka as he knows all about the sacrifice and pain from rider's perspective.

Guy has done 20+ grand tours and is often up front, solid professional rider. His lack of ego gave him some staying power. UAE has a bunch of young riders who probably benefit from being around a guy like him.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

True. He tried in EC tho thats what i refered too since it was so recent

Yup. Remco did what was right. Going at all costs behind Pogacar and deeper into the red could cost him. Just climb at your best possible pace and hope that Pogacar isn't thermonuclear this time (he was). Nothing more can be done.

 

[dobrien]

This from the CN live ticker: "We shouldn’t lose sight of how great Evenepoel has been in this latter part of the season, despite again being outclassed by Pogačar. Since the Worlds, his results have been 1st (World time trial) 2nd (Worlds road race), 1st (European time trial), 2nd (European road race) and 2nd (Il Lombardia) - if it weren’t for Pogačar, he’d have won all five."

Remco is riding amazingly well; he's just up against an historical talent. Not one thing to be ashamed about and Red Bull should be over the moon he's coming aboard next year.

 

[Netserk]

Yup. Remco did what was right. Going at all costs behind Pogacar and deeper into the red could cost him. Just climb at your best possible pace and hope that Pogacar isn't thermonuclear this time (he was). Nothing more can be done.

Better to attack before Ganda if he wants higher variance in results.

 

[Unchained]

Big shoutout to Jay Vine. Really set a hard pace that Pog can easily accelerate away off.

Guy had a multi kilometer pace that was the equivalent of an uphill sprint. Vine's last couple of months have been amazing. His pace put massive pressure on everyone including Del Toro unfortunately but his pace also knocked the edge off of Remco.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

Fair.
I know Remco is stronger but in this course I expected Del Toro to suck Remco's wheel until the end.

Remco's engine is too good in 250 km races. Let's remember that when in form he's a very good climber (so he can tire out very good climbers in such a long classic).

 

[Cycling111]

Del Toro crashed?

No, 200 kilometer syndrome.

 

[Unchained]

Supersonic indeed. Which is why Simmons was only ever an annoyance for other teams.

Simmons has had form to win multiple races in 2025, the reason he didn't win, a bunch of times is racing in some tactical turmoil tornado state and picking the wrong races. I am surprised by his excellent climbing , he just can't trade with top climbers. His season accomplishment happened in West Virginia..

 

[Cycling111]

Wake me up when Pogacar crashes or retires. 💤🥱

Wishing a cyclist would have a crahs is the worst thing I've read here. And I've read a lot of things, but cyclists have died in races due to accidents.

 

[RedheadDane]

Well, my "Mose Boys" were absolutely useless...
Don't tell me... did Skjelmose hit another road sign?

 

[AmRacer]

Wake me up when Pogacar crashes or retires. 💤🥱

SB, PR, TdF...you can wake up now?

 

[postmanhat]

Pello Bilbao in penultimate position and, Ganna in last position. To put Simmons' performance into perspective. Incredible.

I think he would have been third from the peloton.

It's a shame we didn't see how he dropped Del Toro..

Simmons has had so many physical and psychological issues previously, that we only rarely saw glimpses of his talent, and he fell way down the pecking order at a team with similar riders/other priorities. Understandably, this season he's had to earn his results the hard way, and it's been great to watch.

If Lidl were smart, they'd make him a protected rider for a lot more races. Would easily have beaten Storer today riding from the peleton.

 

[Ilmaestro99]

Roglic beaten by Michael Matthews in Il Lombardia after preparing specifically for this part of the season. Sheesh...

You don't understand , his minor crash at the giro is still hurting him and he's far from his best, otherwise he would challenge for the win. Next year after finally recovering he will be back to his 2021 level

 

[Cycling111]

It seems Roglic's time has passed. His best moment this year was a 100-kilometer stage in Catalunya and time trials. Short efforts.

In the Giro, before the accident, he didn't look so good In the stage Ayuso won, Bernal overtook him in a sprint.