Italy 11 Oct 2025 Class 1.UWT – 1 day – UCI WorldTour
Website https://www.ilombardia.it/en and https://www.instagram.com/ilombardia
Email stefano.allocchio@rcs.it
The history of Il Lombardia, also known as the Tour of Lombardy (Giro di Lombardia), is long and rich, establishing it as one of the most prestigious one-day professional cycling races. It is traditionally the final “Monument” of the cycling season, earning it the nickname “The Race of the Falling Leaves” (la classica delle foglie morte).
Here is an overview of its history:
Founding and Early Years
- First Edition: The race was first held in 1905.
- Original Name: The inaugural race was called MilanoโMilano (MilanโMilan).
- Renaming: It was officially renamed Giro di Lombardia in 1907, and since 2012, has been formally referred to as Il Lombardia.
- Inspiration: The race was the idea of journalist Tullo Morgagni, who wanted to create a “rematch” opportunity for a rider who had recently been defeated.
- First Winner: Italian rider Giovanni Gerbi won the first edition with a dominating lead of over 40 minutes.
- Organizer: The race is organized by RCS Sport, the same group that puts on the Giro d’Italia and Milan-San Remo.
Evolution of the Course
The route has changed significantly over the decades, transitioning from a flatter finish to its modern, mountainous character.
| Period | Start & Finish Locations | Course Character |
| 1905โ1960 | Milan to Milan | Originally a flatter race. |
| 1961 | Milan to Como | The finish was moved to Como near Lake Como, fundamentally changing the race to feature a more mountainous, spectacular finale. |
| Post-1961 | Alternating between cities like Como and Bergamo, and incorporating other locations like Varese, Monza, and Cantรน. | The course is now famous for its challenging climbs around the scenic Lombardy region. |
Iconic Climbs: Two of the most famous and decisive climbs regularly featured are:
- Madonna del Ghisallo: An iconic, steep ascent that features a small chapel dedicated to cycling and a cycling museum at the summit.
- Muro di Sormano: A shorter, extremely steep climb with punishing gradients, sometimes included to increase the race’s difficulty.
Legendary Winners
The race has been won by many of cycling’s greatest figures. The Italian legends of the 1930s to 1950sโAlfredo Binda, Gino Bartali, and Fausto Coppiโare central to the race’s history.
| Rider | Wins | Years Won |
| Francois Faber (LUX) | 1 | 1908 |
| Fausto Coppi (ITA) | 5 | 1946, 1947, 1948, 1949, 1954 |
| Alfredo Binda (ITA) | 4 | 1925, 1926, 1927, 1931 |
| Tadej Pogaฤar (SLO) | 4 | 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 |
| Gino Bartali (ITA) | 3 | 1936, 1939, 1940 |
| Henri Pรฉlissier (FRA) | 3 | 1911, 1913, 1920 |
| Sean Kelly (IRL) | 3 | 1983, 1985, 1991 |
Il Lombardia holds a secure place as one of the five Monuments of road cycling, a testament to its age, difficulty, tradition, and prestige as the grand finale of the European cycling calendar.
Data powered by FirstCycling.com
Arthur Kluckers – Tudor Pro Cycling Team, Luxembourg, 25 years (*15th March 2000)
https://www.instagram.com/arthurkluckers
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
