Gearing Up for the Grand Finale: Italy's Late-Season Cycling Classics

As the 2024 road racing season nears its conclusion, the cycling world's attention turns to the final Monument of the year, Il Lombardia, set to take place on October 12. This prestigious race caps off a week-long flurry of activity across northern Italy, featuring a total of seven men's races and two women's events packed into a compact schedule.

Unveiling the Thrilling Finale of the Italian Cycling Calendar

Giro dell'Emilia: The Iconic Climb of San Luca Awaits

The late-season racing extravaganza kicks off on October 5 with the prestigious Giro dell'Emilia, a race that has been a fixture on the calendar for over a century. Both the men's and women's pelotons will tackle the famous San Luca climb in the heart of Bologna, a challenge that was part of this year's Tour de France. The men's race covers 215km and 3,412m of elevation, while the women's event is a more manageable 114km with 617m of climbing. Primož Roglič and Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig were the victors in 2023, and this year's edition promises another thrilling showdown, with Tadej Pogačar making his debut in the rainbow jersey.

Coppa Agostoni: A Hilly Circuit Test

The action then shifts to Lombardy on October 6 for the 77th edition of the Coppa Agostoni. This 166.7km race features a mid-race hilly circuit that will test the riders' climbing abilities before a flat run to the finish line in Lissone. Recent winners include Alexey Lutsenko, Gianni Moscon, and Davide Formolo, and the 2024 edition is expected to attract a strong field, including the likes of Hirschi, Wellens, and Grégoire.

Coppa Bernocchi: A Versatile Sprinter's Delight

The racing continues on October 7 with the Coppa Bernocchi, a 174.3km event near Milan that features a hilly circuit with the Piccolo Stelvio climb as the main challenge. This race has often favored versatile sprinters, with Wout van Aert, Sonny Colbrelli, and Davide Ballerini among the recent victors. Remco Evenepoel, who won the race in 2021, will be looking to repeat his heroics, while UAE Team Emirates' lineup, including Hirschi and Wellens, will also be one to watch.

Tre Valli Varesine: A Warm-Up for Il Lombardia

The 103rd edition of the Tre Valli Varesine on October 8 serves as a final warm-up for many of the stars heading to Il Lombardia. The men's race covers 200.3km and 3,377m of elevation, with a challenging circuit featuring the Salita del Ronchi and Montello climbs, as well as the Barasso ascent. The women's event, meanwhile, is based around a circuit in Varese, with the finish line at the top of the Montello climb. Past winners include Roglič, Pogačar, and Elisa Longo Borghini, and the 2024 edition is expected to attract a star-studded field.

Gran Piemonte: A Versatile Route

On October 10, the Gran Piemonte race will showcase a changing route, morphing from a sprinter-friendly course to one more suited for puncheurs. Last year's edition was won by Andrea Bagioli, but previous winners have included Egan Bernal, Matthew Walls, and Iván García Cortina. The 2024 route features the Passo della Colma as the main challenge, followed by a series of lighter hills in the final 45km, making it a race that could suit a wide range of riders.

Il Lombardia: The Prestigious Season Finale

The grand finale of this late-season Italian cycling extravaganza is the Il Lombardia, the last Monument of the year and the toughest of the bunch. The 118th edition of the race will once again feature a route that flips back-to-front, with the battle for victory expected to be played out on the roads from Bergamo to Como. The route is packed with challenging climbs, including the Forcellino di Bianzno, the Passo di Ganda, the Colle di Berberino, the Valpiana, the Sella di Onigo, the Madonna del Ghisallo, and the fearsome Colma di Sormano. Tadej Pogačar has dominated the recent history of the race, winning the last three editions, and he'll be aiming to equal Alfredo Binda's record of four victories. However, he'll face stiff competition from the likes of Remco Evenepoel, Primož Roglič, and Bauke Mollema, among others.