Il Lombardia finish confirmed after uncertainty - Iconic monument ends in Como again in its historic 120th edition
CyclingTuesday, 21 July 2026 at 13:30
Il Lombardia 2026 will restore one of its most emblematic settings in 2026. After months of uncertainty over the finish host due to organisational and financial shifts, all signs point to the “Race of the Falling Leaves” finishing in Como again, a city that has defined the event’s identity for the past two decades.
This October’s edition carries special weight as the 120th in the race’s history. Losing a finale in Como would have marked a major break for a Classic that has built much of its recent prestige around the brutal ascents of Civiglio and San Fermo della Battaglia before the line, according to La provincia di Como.
Uncertainty seems to have lifted after Monday’s site visit by RCS Sport officials, including Stefano Allocchio, alongside representatives from the Como city council and members of the local organiser CentoCantù.
The meeting advanced planning for the 2026 edition and, barring surprises, reaffirmed the traditional alternation between Como and Bergamo for start and finish hosts. This year it is Como’s turn to welcome the finish.
Il Lombardia, in a landmark edition
Inspection clears the doubts
Doubts had arisen both from the leadership change at RCS Sport, following Mauro Vegni’s departure after decades steering the organiser’s major races, and from the financial negotiations required to host the event. Talks now appear to be on a positive track.
Beyond confirming the return to Como, organisers are weighing course tweaks to raise the spectacle. The leading option is a double passage over both the Civiglio climb and San Fermo della Battaglia, a formula used in the 2022 edition. Then, the riders tackled a circuit that sent them through the city twice before the final showdown, giving fans more chances to follow the race on the streets of Como.
The idea even echoes a proposal once floated by mayor Alessandro Rapinese, who half-joked about routing the peloton through the city up to three times to turn the race into a true urban circuit with strong public appeal.
Civiglio, pending the works
One unresolved point concerns the Civiglio ascent, where works continue in an area affected by a landslide.
During the inspection, Stefano Allocchio personally reviewed progress on site. The main obstacle is a structure supporting a crane installed in the area, though removal is scheduled before race day. In addition, officials believe the available road width should not pose a problem for the peloton’s passage.
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The organisation also aims to turn this edition into a true cycling festival beyond the competition itself.
Among the initiatives under study is a commemorative exhibition dedicated to 120 years of the Giro di Lombardia, following the model of previous showcases held in the city. The exhibition would gather historic photographs, memorabilia, and objects linked to the Italian Classic, with San Pietro in Atrio in central Como among the shortlisted venues.
Meanwhile, it is already confirmed that race headquarters and the press room will again be set up in the Palazzo della Finanza on Piazza del Popolo, opposite Como Cathedral, underscoring the city’s central role in an edition that aims to become one of the most memorable in the race’s history.
Gavin QuinnCycling Journalist
Gavin Quinn is a cycling journalist and ultra-distance cyclist with a BA in Journalism from Dublin City University. Formerly the Press & Communications Officer for Cycling Ireland, Gavin has worked inside the national team at the World Championships and has reported for the Irish Mirror, Mirror UK, and The42.
His expertise is backed by elite-level access, having interviewed stars like Sam Bennett and Ben Healy, as well as immense personal endurance. In 2025, he completed a 12,000km solo cycle from Ireland to Vietnam, following a 4,600km tour across Europe. From the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to the gradients of the Tourmalet, Gavin’s writing focuses on the "romance and brutality" of the sport. Having visited 50+ countries, he brings a global, cultural perspective to his coverage of the pro peloton for CyclingUpToDate.
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