When is Il Lombardia and who are the favourites with Pogačar absent from the start line?

Il Lombardia will conclude the season of major classics this Saturday, October 10, with a particularly open edition. The absence of Tadej Pogačar, winner of the last five editions, leaves a race that will gather some of the best climbers and classics specialists in the peloton on a very tough route of 239 kilometers between Bergamo and Como for the first time since 2020.

The Classic of the Fallen Leaves will be the fifth and final Monument of the season, after Milan-San Remo, Tour of Flanders, Paris-Roubaix, and Liège-Bastogne-Liège. The five Monuments are the most prestigious one-day races on the calendar and Lombardia is, due to its route and elevation, the one that traditionally offers the most options to the great climbers.

Key Points of Il Lombardia 2026

• Day: Saturday, October 10, 2026
• Edition: 120th
• Start: Bergamo
• Finish: Como
• Distance: 239 km
• Positive elevation gain: approximately 4,600 meters
• Climbs: 9
• Start time: 10:45
• Expected finish: between 16:40 and 17:20
• Last winner: Tadej Pogačar (2025) with Evenepoel second and Michael Storer third
• Key fact: Pogačar has won the last five editions, but will not participate in 2026

Route of Il Lombardia 2026

The 239 kilometers between Bergamo and Como will accumulate around 4,600 meters of positive elevation gain and nine climbs, on a route where fatigue will begin much earlier than the decisive part.

Selvino, Colle di Berbenno, and Valpiana will harden the first half of the race before facing Giovenzana and subsequently entering one of the historical scenarios of Lombardia: the Madonna del Ghisallo, whose summit will be about 60 kilometers from the finish.

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The final battle will arrive around Como. The riders will first face San Fermo della Battaglia, then Civiglio, with 4.2 kilometers close to a 10% average gradient, and finally a second ascent to San Fermo.

The summit of this last climb will be just five kilometers from the finish and will lead to a fast descent towards Como. A final sequence especially favorable for attacks where both climbing ability and descending skill can be decisive.

Favorites to Win Il Lombardia 2026

For the first time since 2020, Tadej Pogačar will not be the man to beat. The Slovenian won consecutively in 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025, so his absence guarantees a new winner.

Remco Evenepoel is one of the top candidates after finishing second in the last two editions. The Belgian, who has just been crowned European Champion, will have an excellent opportunity to add Lombardia to his palmarès without Pogačar, although his recent performance in very mountainous routes raises some doubts.

Alongside him are Tom Pidcock and Giulio Ciccone, two riders particularly dangerous in an explosive and technical finish like that of Como. Paul Seixas, Matteo Jorgenson, and Isaac del Toro form another strong group of contenders, while Davide Piganzoli arrives bolstered by his recent victory in the Giro dell'Emilia.

Without the rider who has monopolized the race for five seasons, Il Lombardia 2026 appears much more unpredictable. 239 kilometers and 4,600 meters of elevation will decide in Como who succeeds Pogačar and takes the last Monument of the year.