Il Lombardia 2026 preview, profile, favourites & predictions - Who will win after 5 years of Tadej Pogacar dominance?
Cycling
Il Lombardia will take place on the 10th of October 2026. The race is the ultimate culmination of the Italian autumn classics, having the status of fifth and last monument of pro cycling. With Tadej Pogacar absent this year, there will be a new winner after five editions. Below, you will find the preview for the race as well as its favourites and route.
The race was first held in 1905 and carries over 120 years of history, with only World War II causing it to stop briefly in the 1940's. Giovanni Gerbi won its first ever edition, whilst two years later its first non-French winner emerged in Gustave Garrigou.
Alfredo Binda, Gino Bartali, Fausto Coppi, Rik van Looy, Tom Simpson, Felice Gimondi, Eddy Merckx, Roger de Vlaeminck, Francesco Moser, Bernard Hinault and Sean Kelly are part of the extremely rich and historical winners of cycling's final monument of the year.
The race has seen route alterations over the years, with climbers and classics specialists alternatively having courses that suit their abilities - leading to some more palmarès diversity. Paolo Bettini and Philippe Gilbert are some of the last non-climbers to have won it; whilst in the past 15 years the climbers have emerged as the dominant force.
Oliver Zaugg, Joaquím Rodríguez, Dan Martin, Vincenzo Nibali, Esteban Chaves, Thibau Pinot and Bauke Mollema have won it in the 2010's, whilst Jakob Fuglsang was the winner in 2020. Ever since 2021, Tadej Pogacar has won every single edition of Il Lombardia, which has seen him match the record of Fausto Coppi.
Profile: Bergamo - Como
Bergamo - Como, 239 kilometers
As has been for the past few years, a race for the climbers. 239 kilometers on the menu with the race beginning in Bergamo this year and heading to Como for the finale. The race features over 4600 meters of climbing and a profile that leaves little chance for those who are not the top climbers in the race.
The race features quite a lot of long efforts towards its opening hours with Selvino (10.5Km; 5.6%), Colle di Berbenno (4.5Km; 6.3%) and Valpiana (10.4Km; 6.1%) all placed within the first 90 kilometers.
Before the race enters its decisive phase, the inclusion of the climb to Giovezana is also important, with 3.6 kilometers in distance at over 9%. No key attacks are expected at this point in the race, but it is a notable extra effort to be tackled.
The traditional ascent to the Maddonna del Ghisallo followed, with 8.6 kilometers at 5.4% (but maximum gradients well above that). The ascent ends with 60 kilometers to go, and the riders then transition into the final phase of the race.
They climb San Fermo della Battaglia which is 2.8 kilometers long at 6.9%, ending on its first occasion with 27 kilometers to go. Right after the descent comes the climb to Civiglio, which may decide the race.
The ascent is 4.2 kilometers long at 9.7%, ending with 16 kilometers to go. The length, gradient, proximity to the finish and extremely technical descent typically create gaps that are then near-impossible to close. But the race does not end there.
The riders go up San Fermo della Battaglia on one more occasion, finishing it with 5Km to go. From there on, it's smooth sailing as the riders descend back into Como for the finish.
Preview Il Lombardia 2026
In the absence of Tadej Pogacar, winner of every edition since 2021, a new winner will be crowned and the race might be wide open. Most of the world's best climbers will be present to try and take advantage of an unique opportunity.
Remco Evenepoel has been second for the past two editions, but has no guarantee of taking the win this year as he hasn't shown his best form in the mountainous races of late. Paul Seixas, Tom Pidcock, Giulio Ciccone, Matteo Jorgenson and Giro dell'Emilia winner Davide Piganzoli will be amongst the main favourites to win the race - whilst Isaac del Toro is also expected on the roads of northern Italy.
An in-depth preview will follow.
List of winners Il Lombardia
| Year | 1st | 2nd | 3rd |
| 2025 | Tadej Pogačar | Remco Evenepoel | Michael Storer |
| 2024 | Tadej Pogačar | Remco Evenepoel | Giulio Ciccone |
| 2023 | Tadej Pogačar | Andrea Bagioli | Primož Roglič |
| 2022 | Tadej Pogačar | Enric Mas | Mikel Landa |
| 2021 | Tadej Pogačar | Fausto Masnada | Adam Yates |
| 2020 | Jakob Fuglsang | George Bennett | Aleksandr Vlasov |
| 2019 | Bauke Mollema | Alejandro Valverde | Egan Bernal |
| 2018 | Thibaut Pinot | Vincenzo Nibali | Dylan Teuns |
| 2017 | Vincenzo Nibali | Julian Alaphilippe | Gianni Moscon |
| 2016 | Esteban Chaves | Diego Rosa | Rigoberto Urán |
| 2015 | Vincenzo Nibali | Moreno Moser | Thibaut Pinot |
| 2014 | Daniel Martin | Alejandro Valverde | Rui Costa |
| 2013 | Joaquim Rodríguez | Alejandro Valverde | Rafał Majka |
| 2012 | Joaquim Rodríguez | Samuel Sánchez | Rigoberto Urán |
| 2011 | Oliver Zaugg | Daniel Martin | Joaquim Rodríguez |
| 2010 | Philippe Gilbert | Michele Scarponi | Pablo Lastras |
| 2009 | Philippe Gilbert | Samuel Sánchez | Alexandr Kolobnev |
| 2008 | Damiano Cunego | Janez Brajkovič | Rigoberto Urán |
| 2007 | Damiano Cunego | Riccardo Riccò | Samuel Sánchez |
| 2006 | Paolo Bettini | Samuel Sánchez | Fabian Wegmann |
| 2005 | Paolo Bettini | Gilberto Simoni | Fränk Schleck |
| 2004 | Damiano Cunego | Michael Boogerd | Ivan Basso |
| 2003 | Michele Bartoli | Luca Paolini | Dario Frigo |
| 2002 | Michele Bartoli | Davide Rebellin | Oscar Camenzind |
| 2001 | Danilo Di Luca | Giuliano Figueras | Michael Boogerd |
| 2000 | Raimondas Rumsas | Francesco Casagrande | Magnus Bäckstedt |
| 1999 | Mirko Celestino | Danilo Di Luca | Eddy Mazzoleni |
| 1998 | Oscar Camenzind | Michael Boogerd | Luca Puttini |
| 1997 | Laurent Jalabert | Alberto Lanfranchi | Francesco Casagrande |
| 1996 | Mauro Tafi | Beat Zberg | Eddy Merckx |
| 1995 | Marco Faresin | Andrea Nardello | Michele Bartoli |
| 1994 | Vladislav Bobrik | Claudio Chiappucci | Pascal Richard |
| 1993 | Pascal Richard | Giorgio Furlan | Mauro Sciandri |
| 1992 | Tony Rominger | Claudio Chiappucci | Davide Cassani |
| 1991 | Sean Kelly | Yvon Gayant | Ballerini |
| 1990 | Gilles Delion | Pascal Richard | Mottet |
| 1989 | Tony Rominger | Gilles Delion | Roosen |
| 1988 | Charly Mottet | Gianni Bugno | Pedro Muñoz |
| 1987 | Moreno Argentin | Eddy Van Lancker | Marc Madiot |
| 1986 | Gianbattista Baronchelli | Sean Kelly | Phil Anderson |
| 1985 | Sean Kelly | Adrie van der Poel | Charly Mottet |
| 1984 | Bernard Hinault | Jan Peeters | Leo van Vliet |
| 1983 | Sean Kelly | Greg LeMond | Adrie van der Poel |
| 1982 | Giuseppe Saronni | Jules | Francesco Moser |
| 1981 | Joop Zoetemelk | Moreno Argentin | Charly Chinetti |
| 1980 | Hennie Kuiper | Charly Chinetti | Jan Peeters |
| 1979 | Bernard Hinault | Silvano Contini | Giovanni Battaglin |
| 1978 | Francesco Moser | Bernt Johansson | Bernard Hinault |
| 1977 | Gianbattista Baronchelli | Patrick Vandenbroucke | Franco Bitossi |
| 1976 | Roger De Vlaeminck | Bernard Thévenet | Francesco Panizza |
| 1975 | Francesco Moser | Luciano Paolini | Charly Chinetti |
| 1974 | Roger De Vlaeminck | Eddy Merckx | Giuseppe Conti |
| 1973 | Felice Gimondi | Roger De Vlaeminck | Walter Godefroot |
| 1972 | Eddy Merckx | Cyrille Guimard | Felice Gimondi |
| 1971 | Eddy Merckx | Franco Bitossi | Walter Verbeeck |
| 1970 | Franco Bitossi | Felice Gimondi | Gianni Motta |
| 1969 | Jean-Pierre Monséré | Walter Godefroot | Franco Bitossi |
| 1968 | Walter Godefroot | Franco Bitossi | Eddy Merckx |
| 1967 | Franco Bitossi | Felice Gimondi | Raymond Poulidor |
| 1966 | Felice Gimondi | Eddy Merckx | Raymond Poulidor |
| 1965 | Tom Simpson | André Noyelle | Jean Stablinski |
| 1964 | Gianni Motta | Mario Preziosi | Jef Hoevenaers |
| 1963 | Jo de Roo | Dino Durante | Michele Dancelli |
| 1962 | Jo de Roo | René Trapé | Aurelio Cerato |
| 1961 | Vito Taccone | Diego Ronchini | Fontona |
| 1960 | Albert Daems | Diego Ronchini | Fontana |
| 1959 | Rik Van Looy | Noël Vannitsen | Miguel Poblet |
| 1958 | Nino Defilippis | Miguel Poblet | André Vlayen |
| 1957 | Diego Ronchini | Nino Monti | Cestari |
| 1956 | André Darrigade | Fausto Coppi | Fiorenzo Magni |
| 1955 | Fiorenzo Magni | Raymond Impanis | Giuseppe Conterno |
| 1954 | Fausto Coppi | Fiorenzo Magni | De Rossi |
| 1953 | Alfredo Landi | Désiré Keteleer | Molineris |
| 1952 | Fiorenzo Magni | Nino Defilippis | Padovan |
| 1951 | Louison Bobet | Fiorenzo Magni | Fausto Coppi |
| 1950 | Oreste Conte | Sergio Bevilacqua | Fausto Coppi |
| 1949 | Fausto Coppi | Ferdi Kübler | Logli |
| 1948 | Fausto Coppi | Giordano Leoni | Ferdi Kübler |
| 1947 | Fausto Coppi | Gino Bartali | Da Zan |
| 1946 | Fausto Coppi | Luigi Casola | Motta |
| 1945 | Mario Ricci | Aldo Bini | Gino Bartali |
| 1942 | Aldo Bini | Gino Bartali | Toccacelli |
| 1941 | Mario Ricci | Cinelli | Canavesi |
| 1940 | Gino Bartali | Cino Cinelli | Mario Ricci |
| 1939 | Gino Bartali | Mario Vicini | Aldo Bini |
| 1938 | Cino Cinelli | Mario Vicini | Aldo Bini |
| 1937 | Gino Bartali | Aldo Bini | Mario Vicini |
| 1936 | Gino Bartali | Aldo Bini | Giuseppe Olmo |
| 1935 | Enrico Mollo | Gino Bartali | Giuseppe Olmo |
| 1934 | Learco Guerra | Gino Bartali | Domenico Piemontesi |
| 1933 | Alfredo Binda | Learco Guerra | Domenico Piemontesi |
| 1932 | Alfredo Binda | Remo Bertoni | Giuseppe Olmo |
| 1931 | Alfredo Binda | Learco Guerra | Domenico Piemontesi |
| 1930 | Michele Mara | Luigi Giacobbe | Learco Guerra |
| 1929 | Alfredo Binda | Antonio Negrini | Domenico Piemontesi |
| 1928 | Gaetano Belloni | Allegro Grandi | Domenico Piemontesi |
| 1927 | Alfredo Binda | Domenico Piemontesi | Antonio Negrini |
| 1926 | Arturo Bresciani | Alfredo Binda | Domenico Piemontesi |
| 1925 | Alfredo Binda | Giovanni Brunero | Giovanni Gerbi |
| 1924 | Giovanni Brunero | Alfredo Binda | Giovanni Gerbi |
| 1923 | Giovanni Brunero | Alfredo Binda | Giovanni Gerbi |
| 1922 | Henri Pélissier | Costante Girardengo | Angelo Gremo |
| 1921 | Costante Girardengo | Henri Pélissier | Giovanni Gerbi |
| 1920 | Henri Pélissier | Costante Girardengo | Giovanni Gerbi |
| 1919 | Costante Girardengo | Angelo Gremo | Giovanni Rossignoli |
| 1918 | Gaetano Belloni | Costante Girardengo | Angelo Gremo |
| 1917 | Philippe Thys | Henri Pelissier | Leopoldo Toricelli |
| 1916 | Leopoldo Toricelli | Camillo Bertarelli | Alfredo Sivocci |
| 1915 | Gaetano Belloni | Giovanni Gerbi | Angelo Gremo |
| 1914 | Henri Pélissier | Giovanni Gerbi | Angelo Gremo |
| 1913 | Henri Pélissier | Giovanni Gerbi | Carlo Oriani |
| 1912 | Giovanni Michelotto | Carlo Oriani | Angelo Gremo |
| 1911 | Giovanni Michelotto | Carlo Oriani | Giovanni Gerbi |
| 1910 | Henri Pélissier | Giovanni Rossignoli | Angelo Gremo |
| 1909 | Giovanni Rossignoli | Giovanni Gerbi | Carlo Oriani |
| 1908 | Giovanni Gerbi | Luigi Ganna | Giovanni Rossignoli |
| 1907 | Gustave Garrigou | Giovanni Gerbi | Luigi Ganna |
| 1906 | Giovanni Gerbi | Luigi Ganna | Giovanni Rossignoli |
| 1905 | Giovanni Gerbi | Luigi Ganna | Giovanni Rossignoli |
Rúben SilvaEditor-in-Chief
A founding contributor to CyclingUpToDate since its launch in January 2022, Ruben Silva has played a central role in shaping the site’s editorial direction and long-term growth. Before joining the project, he built his experience through independent blogging at Echelons Hub and by producing race previews for Ciclismo Internacional, developing a strong analytical voice rooted in daily engagement with professional cycling.
Beyond editorial work, he has been closely involved in the expansion and coordination of CyclingUpToDate’s wider network, helping establish and support sister platforms across multiple languages. This includes ongoing collaboration with CiclismoAlDia (Spanish), CiclismoAtual (Portuguese), WielrennenUpToDate (Dutch), and RadsportAktuell (German), contributing to a shared editorial vision and consistent international coverage.
He also helps oversee editorial governance across the network, setting standards for accuracy and consistency and coordinating updates or corrections when needed.
Originally from the Porto metropolitan area in Portugal, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography. His path into cycling journalism was shaped not through formal media training, but through independent reporting, community engagement, and sustained on-the-ground involvement in the sport.
Over the course of his career, he has conducted approximately 100 interviews across road cycling and cyclocross, ranging from one-to-one conversations and online formats to press conferences and on-site pre- and post-race coverage. His interviews include leading riders, team managers, and prominent figures within cycling media: Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, Mathieu van der Poel, Primoz Roglic, Wout van Aert, Joao Almeida and Tom Pidcock; managers like Patrick Lefevere and Joxean Matxin; and YouTube personality Bryan Kennedy (BKXC)...
Within 18 months of launch, he helped grow CyclingUpToDate’s English-language platform into one of the most-read cycling news websites, built entirely from the ground up. As both a professional journalist and lifelong cycling enthusiast, his focus remains on delivering accurate, timely, and well-contextualized coverage.
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- Shall we ask how many people here would wish you’d do that too?Mistermaumau05-10-2026
- Giulio, you are not the first to feel that way or get a reputation for it but some of the others broke the trend one day, I suggest you keep tryingMistermaumau05-10-2026
- The Festina Affair, Operación Puerto, Eufemiano Fuentes, Michele Ferrari, Armstrong, Contador, Landis, Ullrich, and Pantani were all great shows. Now Pogačar, "The Greatest Showman" of all.
vannpelt05-10-2026 - People are loosing it over UAE how dominant they are. First they create the best rider ever, now other teams captains cant even deal with their domestiques. Del Toro pogs dom better than evenepoel at every hilly course in the world..Its crazy work that team. That McNulty also won WC just goes to show how insane they are. Their the best in history its very clear aswell wether or not i dont like em ive never seen anything remotely close to them. Think ppl better off just accepting facts instead of delusional alternative realities. Touch grass, get a job and enjoy the show instead.miguel05-10-2026
- PogiSloFans, it is just a possibility with the unfortunate reality that Pog is having to face. He can't yet know how he will react to more intense training with his concussion; and that has consequences for the rest of someone's life.Hills3305-10-2026
- Those are your prerogatives but just like you’ve disqualified me (and yet continue to engage), I disqualified her as interesting to me for having done what for me is unacceptable in her position (different e.g. to someone put in a position to feel they have no choice, so unless I discover something in the media about her having been blackmailed by her agent or employer I will stick to my position). I am also not interested in researching good things Hitler might have done or any talents he had as these claims rarely come from a source I could have respect for. Sorry to use an extreme to make a point but maybe you get it better put like that. Extremism/radicalism in any form can be acceptable or ok on an individual level (when it has no effect on outsiders) but NOT societally.Mistermaumau05-10-2026
- Pretty unclear what you are saying here, especially bringing skin colour into it for no apparent reason, but you do bring up an interesting issue although only from one point of view (father, not mother). So I ask you to think through this. I expect you’d be proud of your daughter/wife/sister if she’d tell you shéd made it « big » (obviously not if comparing to those with 1000s of x higher worth) financially (not a risky assumption based on the importance you’ve shown money has for you). Would you still be as proud to discover it was through showing herself naked publicly, for a betting company to attract male users easier? I expect many fathers (not averse to looking at naked females) will have a slightly different view on this than mothers but that this difference might drop when it concerns one of their own. Now, maybe in today’s morally confused and paradoxical society this might still be considered acceptable by some (let’s also not forget sole form of incest happens in 15-20% of families to remember how many weird men (and to a lesser degree women) there are, so in order for you to think this through properly and not through the societal pressure to conform to contemporary « normality « you might feel under lets skip the next message by directly considering the same question in the context of historical momentum. Would you have given the same answer in your grandparents’ time? Do you see how things have evolved since (regardless of whether we call that progress or not) even if it’s never linear (70’s being far less prudish than a few subsequent , depending on which generation you asked obviously). Now, fast forward another decade or generation or more of the same momentum and consider yourself a father when every young girl will see a financial opportunity to make it big through platforms like Onlyfans, Discord, Coco (and probably hundreds more unknown to mainstream media, worse even), you’d still be happy to defend your child for her choices, behaviour and the example she sets for others? Girls like this are just germinating and facilitating new Epsteins by lowering the barrier for (female, surprise, surprise) nudity.Mistermaumau05-10-2026
- Hey Jumpin Johnny, it would also be nice for you to keep your foolish mouth shut every once in a while. You're almost as bad as that Trump redneck, frieder3.PogiSloFans05-10-2026
- WTF? Retirement? We still have plenty of enjoyment ahead of us with his victories.MajorPayne05-10-2026
- WTF are you talking about? What retirement? Next year Pogi will be better then ever... his goal is to prove that, to show te whole world who is the "boss"!!! Capish?PogiSloFans05-10-2026
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