The season’s final battles - Five biggest races that can still make a huge impact on riders' 2026 results
Cycling
The 2026 cycling season is heading into the home straight, but plenty is still at stake. The Montréal Worlds have already crowned Brandon McNulty as the new world champion and the European Championships in Ljubljana are about to wrap up with Wednesday’s time trial, yet the peloton still faces several dates capable of reshaping the picture of this campaign.
The calendar now moves into its traditional block of autumn classics, with Italy as the main stage and Il Lombardia as the year’s final Monument. In between come Tre Valli Varesine, Gran Piemonte, Giro del Veneto, and Paris-Tours, all with enough clout for the big names to chase one last win before calling time on their season.
And there is an extra twist. Tadej Pogacar will not race Il Lombardia, so the Monument he has dominated in recent years will have a different winner. At the same time, Brandon McNulty has just pulled on the rainbow jersey and will have several chances to chase a victory in his new stripes.
Movistar Team hopes Enric Mas can close out the year with another major result after winning the Vuelta a España. These are the five races that can still reshape the season finale.
5. Tre Valli Varesine: a last chance for the classics specialists
The first major date arrives almost immediately. Tre Valli Varesine takes place this Tuesday, between Busto Arsizio and Varese, over 196.1 kilometers. The race is part of that block of Italian classics that draws much of the peloton’s focus during the first week of October.
It is a particularly intriguing test because it brings together riders with very different profiles. Punchy climbers, classics specialists who handle short climbs, and riders carrying deep late-season endurance often find here one of their final chances to land a significant win.
After Coppa Agostoni and Coppa Bernocchi, many of those choosing Italy to end their year will tackle this race with legs ever more finely tuned.
Moreover, coming right after the European Championships may give some riders a completely different motivation. For some it will be another tune-up for Lombardia; for others, one of the last real openings to take a victory in 2026.
Enric Mas will race Tre Valli Varesine and Il Lombardia 2026.
4. Gran Piemonte: the last big chance for the fast finishers
Two days after Tre Valli comes Gran Piemonte, on Thursday. The race covers 185 kilometers between Asti and Bra with roughly 2,500 meters of elevation gain. The route offers a relatively steady first half and a much tougher finale, with several climbs that can thin the bunch before the line.
That blend makes Gran Piemonte hard to pigeonhole. It is not exclusively for climbers, but neither is it a classic perfectly suited to pure sprinters.
It can be the ideal stage for riders who can handle the climbs and keep enough speed for the closing kilometers.
That makes the result especially valuable for many teams still hunting a final prestige victory. In a season this long, a race like this can be the difference between finishing on a high or feeling that one last big win slipped away.
3. Paris-Tours: the last big battle for the specialists
While Italy holds much of the spotlight, France has its own grand farewell with Paris-Tours, scheduled for Sunday.
The 216.2-kilometer French race offers a completely different backdrop to the Italian classics. The famed vineyard tracks and gravel sectors turn the finale into a test of endurance, positioning, and the ability to survive a nervy race.
It is also one of the last major opportunities of the season for one-day specialists whose big target is not Lombardia.
That is why Paris-Tours can take on special significance once the biggest names still competing in Italy have already ended their seasons.
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2. Giro del Veneto: the final exam
The Giro del Veneto, to be held on October 14th between Veneto and Vicenza over 176 kilometers, stands out as another of the final big fixtures on the European calendar.
The race comes after Il Lombardia and will, therefore, have a different context. Some riders will have wrapped up their seasons, while others will use these last dates to extend their competitive rhythm.
That could turn it into a particularly open race.
It will also be one of the last chances for teams still chasing a win in the Italian autumn classics to close the block with a big result.
1. Il Lombardia: the final Monument of the year
Above all stands, as always, Il Lombardia. The Italian Monument will be held on Saturday between Bergamo and Como over 239 kilometres. The route restores a notably demanding finale, with a double ascent of San Fermo della Battaglia and the passage over Civiglio before the final descent into Como.
But one factor changes the picture completely: Tadej Pogacar will not be on the start line.
The Slovenian had turned Lombardia into one of his prime hunting grounds in recent years, but this time the Monument will need a new leading man. That opens a huge opportunity for riders who have been waiting all season for their big moment.
Primož Roglič, Remco Evenepoel, Brandon McNulty, Tom Pidcock, Isaac del Toro and other big names could enter the fray depending on their final race plans. Enric Mas will lead Movistar Team after his victory at the Vuelta a España 2026.
And McNulty will have extra motivation. The American has just claimed the Montréal World Championship and debuted the rainbow jersey at the Giro dell'Emilia. His Italian schedule includes the autumn classics and Lombardia, giving him several chances to chase a win in the world champion’s stripes.
The last five major races of 2026
| Race | Date | What it could decide |
| Tre Valli Varesine | 06.10.2026 | Last chance for many classics specialists |
| Gran Piemonte | 08.10.2026 | Open contest between climbers and tough sprinters |
| Il Lombardia | 10.10.2026 | Final Monument and a major battle without Pogacar |
| Paris-Tours | 11.10.2026 | Last major French classic |
| Giro del Veneto | 14.10.2026 | Final big wins on the Italian calendar |
Jorge BorregueroWriter
Jorge Borreguero is a journalist with a degree from the Complutense University of Madrid and has been a writer for Cyclinguptodate and Ciclismoaldia since early 2023. In this role, he has played a key part in the evolution of the website, particularly as a specialist covering Movistar Team. He regularly writes race reports, analytical pieces, and in-depth features about the team, and has conducted exclusive interviews and attended multiple team presentations, providing readers with firsthand insights into one of the leading professional cycling squads.
Throughout his career, Jorge has maintained a strong focus on sports journalism, gaining experience across a variety of disciplines, including basketball and football. However, his current work is almost entirely dedicated to cycling, contributing extensively to Ciclismoaldia and its sister website Cyclinguptodate. For these platforms, he combines thorough research with detailed reporting to deliver high-quality content, ranging from race previews and results to expert analysis of teams and riders.
Jorge’s reporting is marked by accuracy, depth, and a commitment to providing readers with reliable and authoritative information. His direct engagement with teams, athletes, and events ensures that his coverage reflects firsthand knowledge and professional insight. Through his work, he has established himself as a trusted voice in professional cycling journalism, bridging the gap between the sport and its global audience while maintaining rigorous editorial standards.
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- I think Pogačar is going to have a really hard time becoming Belgian road champion. I mean, nothing seems impossible with the guy, but still. Kidding aside, this is honestly an incredible set of achievements. It's not the usual set of cycling achievements in terms of specific races, but seriously, all the championships he can, in road and TT?! And he's how young? That's really remarkable. Congratulations, Remco Evenepoel!RidesHills05-10-2026
- if you consult the second picture in ciccone's instagram post, which seems to show the actual finish line in top view, it rather looks like a ciccone win! if they do not retract their decision pro remco only, they loose the least bit of credibility they still have. you can argue about how to make racing safer, but you can't argue about a decision that completely lacks proof. they don't even share how far away from the real finish the image was taken. if they would, every 2nd semester physics bsc student would be able to simulate how many cm the delayed bike throw of ciccone would have resulted in. and we are not even talking cm or mm here! shame on the uci (is it uci or a europe specific association?) for their lack of transparancy!Ketterechts05-10-2026
- Interesting you claim Visma isn't a top 3 team anyomore yet their UCI rank is ...#3. Lidl Trek is only #5. Visma has 2 riders in the top 10, Lidl Treks top rider, Pederson is 16th. Their big Grand Tour signing, Ayuso is ranked 38th and has been a bust so far.GB05-10-2026
- Yes, it's fairer that way. A bit like Adam Bradać and Dušan Rajović in Poreć the other day, when they both were declared winners. As I said on the other thread, the uncertainty of the finish line - and the red line may not be on the right part finish line - is much more than that non-existent winning margin. But if they show the finish line here, they have to fo it everywhere and we know the problem there
Rafionain-Glas05-10-2026 - I truly appreciate the way that Ciccone in no way takes away from Evenepoel, praises him throughout, and casts no doubt on his fellow rider. That’s character. Also, he has every right to make these demands. I thought yesterday that the photo finish was clearer than it turned out to be, and now I’m amazed that they called it when there is enough doubt. Back in the day they had ties at moments like this. I wouldn’t mind seeing two European champions in the coming year, after a race that good.RidesHills05-10-2026
- From the photo it's literally a millimetre difference. The uncertainty of the finish line is considerably moreRafionain-Glas05-10-2026
- I wasn't trying to be too critical of Remco and said he just wins and is amazing - so compliments thrown in for sure too. just speaking out loud with my other comment on his demonstrations and vocalizations. yeah, don't change for sure Remco! because he is a winner. anyone that says otherwise is sorely mistaken. the first rider to win on all continents. the double olympic gold. monuments. grand tours. the first rider to have a championship at national, euro, world and olympics in TT and road. plus how many one day races, one week races, and more. he just makes me laugh - you KNOW there is always going to be something from Remco either before or after a race. many times both. and as I'm laughing and loving the drama, I have to shake my head and think put all of that into the pedals. his Jonas critique of no balls was not only funny, but IMO true of at least that stage. if Jonas had ridden, they basically would have solidified a top 3 for each of them. then it is just who is on one step. and this years tour was beyond impressive. so many times that guy was dropped, and there he is finishing top 3 for the stage. he does not give up, he is a fighter. cycling would suck without some Remcos thrown into the mix.mij05-10-2026
- All jokes aside, I agree. But being completely honest, I love Remco and the sheer chaos he brings. He totally lights up a race. His complaints over the Vuelta Stage 1 TT lighting? Electric. His anger towards Jonas’ lack of b*lls? Hilarious. Whining about a rider’s lack of support? Pure entertainment. Some of his complaints are totally fair, others are straight-up tantrums, but either way, cycling is so much more fun with him in it. You can't deny the spark he brings. It’s personalities like his that draw us to our sport. Never change, Remco.anonymouscyclist05-10-2026
- I’m waiting for when Pidcock joins this conversation regarding Amstel Gold… his jibe in the podcast with Matt Stephens was quite telling!anonymouscyclist05-10-2026
- absolutely agreed! if they cannot provide the image from the finish line showing that remco was ahead, they have to declare both of them winners. anything else would be unfair at the least. it would also not be good for remco because his title would remain to be questioned forever.Ketterechts05-10-2026
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