The World Championships and Il Lombardia: What’s still to come in 2024

The summer of 2024 will go down as one of the most memorable in the history of professional cycling. From Tadej Pogačar’s remarkable double at the Giro d'Italia and Tour de France, to Remco Evenepoel’s golden sweep at the Olympic Games, and more recently, Primož Roglič’s record-breaking fourth Vuelta a España title, the season has been packed with historical moments and thrilling races.

But while the summer may have ended, and the Grand Tour season has drawn to a close, the cycling calendar is far from finished. There are still significant events on the horizon, and the excitement is set to continue through the remainder of the year. Let’s take a closer look at what’s still to come on the road in 2024.

The pinnacle of the remaining season is undoubtedly the UCI World Road Championships, where the prestigious rainbow jersey will be up for grabs. This year, the World Championships head to the picturesque city of Zurich, Switzerland, from September 22 to September 29, 2024.

Zurich, known for its stunning alpine backdrop and vibrant city life, is set to provide a scenic yet challenging setting for the World Championships. The city’s cycling history is rich, with a strong tradition of hosting elite cycling events, and this year’s championships will be no exception. With a mix of urban circuits and surrounding countryside, the riders will face a diverse set of challenges as they vie for the coveted rainbow jersey.

The championships will kick off on September 22nd with both the men’s and women’s time trials, setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting week of racing.

The men’s time trial will see defending champion Remco Evenepoel return to the discipline in which he has already dominated this year, having also claimed gold in the Olympic Games time trial. The 46.1km route will take riders from Zurich out to the small town of Monchaltorf, before heading back to the city. The course features an elevation gain of just over 400 meters, which, while not overly challenging, is enough to favour pure time trialists over general classification (GC) riders. The flat to rolling terrain will demand power and aerodynamics, making this a race against the clock in its purest form.

On the women’s side, Chloe Dygert will be defending her title on a 29.9km route that starts in Gossau and finishes in Zurich. With just over 300 meters of elevation gain, the course follows a scenic path along Lake Zurich, offering beautiful views but also presenting a significant challenge. The relatively flat terrain will favour powerful riders who can maintain high speeds over the course’s length. Dygert, known for her strength and time trial prowess, will be the rider to beat, but the competition will be fierce.

The women’s elite road race will take place on Saturday, September 28th, covering a 154.1km route with over 2300 meters of elevation gain. The race begins with a lap around a circuit in Uster, before moving on to four 27km laps around a city circuit in Zurich. This route is designed to test the riders with its combination of climbs and technical sections, providing opportunities for both breakaways and tactical racing. Expect the climbers and punchers to shine here, with the race likely being decided on the final laps around Zurich.

The men’s elite road race on Sunday, September 29th, will be one of the most anticipated events of the championships. The defending champion, Mathieu van der Poel, will aim to replicate his stunning victory from last year’s championships in Glasgow, but he’ll face stiff competition. Tadej Pogačar, fresh off his historic Giro and Tour double, will be hungry to add the rainbow jersey to his already illustrious 2024 season. Additionally, Remco Evenepoel, the Olympic Road race champion, will be looking to regain the rainbow jersey he won in 2022, making for a thrilling showdown. The route, known for its mix of punchy climbs and technical descents, will be a true test of the riders' all-around abilities, and we can expect fireworks from start to finish.

The season’s final Monument, Il Lombardia, is scheduled for Saturday, October 12th, 2024. This “Race of the Falling Leaves” is often seen as the last major test for the riders before the end of the season, and it always provides a spectacular show.

Tadej Pogačar has made this race his own in recent years, winning the past three editions. The 2024 edition will see him return as the favourite, aiming to further cement his legacy. Known for its challenging climbs and stunning scenery, Il Lombardia is one of the most beautiful races on the calendar, often described as a classic for the climbers.

This year’s route remains true to the race’s reputation for difficulty, featuring the iconic climbs of the Madonna del Ghisallo and the Muro di Sormano, as well as the punishing ascent of the Civiglio and the final climb to San Fermo della Battaglia. The race will cover approximately 250km, with over 4500 meters of elevation gain, making it one of the toughest one-day races of the year. The steep gradients and technical descents require not only climbing prowess but also superb bike handling skills.

Il Lombardia has a storied history, with legendary riders like Fausto Coppi, Eddy Merckx, and more recently, Vincenzo Nibali, all having claimed victory here. It is a race where climbers and attacking riders can shine, and it often sees dramatic, late-race moves decide the outcome. Pogačar has previously claimed victory with a solo attack on the Civiglio, and a similar scenario could unfold this year, with riders like Remco Evenepoel and Primož Roglic also likely to be in the mix.

While the summer of 2024 has provided plenty of excitement, the cycling season still has much to offer. The UCI World Road Championships and Il Lombardia will provide fans with more thrilling races, and the chance to see the sport’s top riders go head-to-head in some of the most challenging and prestigious events of the year. As the season draws to a close, the battles for the rainbow jersey and the final Monument of the year will ensure that the action continues right up until the very end.