2026 Il Lombardia Live Coverage
Welcome to our live coverage of 2026 Il Lombardia! Our live profile and commentary are below, followed by a preview of the technical aspects of the route.
Course Preview
The ‘Race of the Falling Leaves’ is the fifth and final Monument of the year. Who will come out on top on the 239-kilometre route from Bergamo to Como? The 4,600 metres of elevation gain are spread fairly evenly across the course, with the summit of the final climb coming just 5.3 kilometres from the finish.
Shortly after the start in Bergamo, the riders tackle the Bocche del Gavardo, a 3.1-kilometre warm-up climb at 4.7%. Straight off the descent comes the climb to Selvino, a more demanding test at 10.1 kilometres with a 5.9% gradient.
Via the Colle di Berbenno (4.5 kilometres at 6.3%) and the climb to Valpiana (10.1 kilometres at 6.2%), the riders reach the flat middle section of the route. It lasts just under 30 kilometres before the Giovenzana serves up a typically Lombardian wall: 3.6 kilometres at 9.2%.
The riders descend to Lake Como and follow its shores towards Bellagio. Another flat section follows — this time 20 kilometres — before it is time for the Madonna del Ghisallo. The iconic climb rises for 8.6 kilometres at an average gradient of 6.2%, although that figure is heavily brought down by a section of descent. In reality, the gradient on the key sections rarely drops below 9%. The steepest section, at 14%, sits at the foot.
The descent features a few moderate uphill stretches before the riders enter the finishing circuit with just over 39 kilometres to go. Shortly, the riders get a first taste of the San Fermo della Battaglia, a 2.7-kilometre climb at 7.2% that will later form the final climb of the race.
The full final lap is 22 kilometres long. First up is the punishing Civiglio, which rises for 4.2 kilometres at 9.7% and features a steepest ramp at 14%. Soon after the descent and still averaging 7.2% over its 2.7 kilometres, the San Fermo della Battaglia comes around for a second time. A 5.3-kilometre plunge then takes the riders to the finish in Como. The first section drops at 5.9%, while the final 1.6 kilometres are virtually flat.
The past five editions of Il Lombardia have been won by Tadej Pogacar, but the Slovenian is injured, so we are guaranteed a new winner. In fact, unless Bauke Mollema takes the spoils, a rider who has never won the race before will cross the line celebrating in Como. Get more details at cyclingstage.com.
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