Il Lombardia 2017

Il Lombardia 2017 overview

Vincenzo Nibali (Bahrain-Merida) pulled off a stunning repeat of his 2015 victory in Il Lombardia two years later, using the same finale and similar tactics to take out the 50th win of his career in Como.

The Italian bridged across to Thibaut Pinot (FDJ) on the penultimate climb and then used his superior descending skills not only to distance Pinot but to build up an unassailable lead on the chasers.

By the time the group came together to launch a cohesive chase, Nibali was too far gone. Julian Alaphilippe (Quick-Step Floors) attacked out of the group to take second, with Gianni Moscon (Team Sky) taking third in the sprint.

2017 Il Lombardia Brief Results

Race Preview

Il Lombardia (formerly the Giro di Lombardia) may no longer be the curtain closer for the WorldTour but it remains one of the final major one-day race of the calendar and attracts a line-up to match.

In 2016, Esteban Chaves (Orica-Scott) became the first Colombian winner after out-kicking Rigoberto Uran (Cannondale-Drapac) and Diego Rosa (Astana) in a three-man sprint for the line. Chaves sparked the race-winning move, which briefly contained Romain Bardet (AG2R La Mondiale) on the penultimate climb.

Chaves will not be back to defend his title after breaking his right shoulder at the Giro dell'Emilia. But the other two podium finishers will be in attendance with Rosa riding in Team Sky colours this time out. Lining up with them will be the previous two winners before Chaves, Vincenzo Nibali (Bahrain-Merida) and Dan Martin (Quick-Step Floors). Other stand-out names include Mikel Landa and Michal Kwiatkowski (Team Sky), Nairo Quintana (Movistar), and Team Sunweb trio Tom Dumoulin, Michael Matthews and Warren Barguil.

Changes have been made to the route with 4,000 metres of climbing ahead of the riders on October 7. The route has been reversed from last year’s edition, starting out in Bergamo this season and finishing Como.

The first ascent of the day is the Colle Gallo after 48 kilometres with the Colle Brianza coming almost 50 kilometres later. The last 70 kilometres include the Madonna del Ghisallo, the Muro di Sormano, the Civiglio and finally the San Fermo della Battaglia. Nibali was the winner in 2015 when the race last used this route, breaking free of his companions on the Civiglio and making use of the descent to extend his advantage.

2016 Il Lombardia results