One of the most prestigious cycling races is closely tied to Como: this year Slovenian Tadej Pogačar claimed victory, equalling Fausto Coppi’s record with five wins
The deep bond between Lake Como and cycling is renewed every October with the Giro di Lombardia. The “Race of the Falling Leaves”, the last major event of the cycling season, showcases the wonders of the Lario region to a global audience through television coverage. Como has hosted the finish line in many of the race’s 119 editions: for the past decade, Como and Bergamo have alternated as start and finish locations. A highlight on the route is the Madonna del Ghisallo, one of cycling’s most iconic climbs, which also houses a must-visit museum for cycling fans. Other key points in recent years have often included the brutal Muro di Sormano, with gradients reaching 27%, and the climb of San Fermo della Battaglia on the outskirts of Como, both likely to feature on the route again next year.
A MAGNIFICENT HALL OF FAME
This year’s race, held on Saturday, 11 October, starting in Como and finishing in Bergamo, was dominated by the Slovenian superstar Tadej Pogačar, whose win enabled him to equal the “Campionissimo” Fausto Coppi’s record, with five victories. And to add a record of his own: his wins were all consecutive, from 2021 to today. From Coppi to Pogačar, Lake Como has served as the backdrop for the feats of nearly all the greatest cyclists in history over more than a century of racing: Binda, Bartali, Gimondi, Merckx, Hinault, Moser, Bettini, just to name a few. The last Italian to triumph was Vincenzo Nibali in 2017, who had already won in 2015. The Lombardia (the current name of the race) was also his final professional race in 2022. “I’m happy, I loved every minute of it,” he said that day after crossing the finish line in Como.
ONE OF THE MOST GRUELLING RACES FOR CLIMBERS
The Giro di Lombardia is traditionally one of the toughest races in the calendar: this year, the total elevation gain was nearly 4,500 metres.
