Il Lombardia is the fifth and final Monument of the professional cycling season, known as the Race of the Falling Leaves. The 2026 edition, the 120th running, takes place on Saturday 10 October, with a 252-kilometre route between Bergamo and Como through the autumn hills of Lombardy, northern Italy.
What is Il Lombardia?
Il Lombardia is a one-day professional road cycling race and one of the five Monuments of the sport, alongside Milan-San Remo, the Tour of Flanders, Paris-Roubaix and Liege-Bastogne-Liege. Monuments are the oldest and most prestigious one-day races in cycling, and each has its own character. Il Lombardia is a climbers’ race, run over more than 250 kilometres of rolling and mountainous terrain in the Lombardy region of northern Italy.
The race is promoted by RCS Sport, the same organisation that runs the Giro d’Italia. It is the final UCI WorldTour one-day classic of the season and traditionally brings the curtain down on the European racing year. Its nickname, the Race of the Falling Leaves, reflects its autumn date and the scenery along the course.
When is Il Lombardia?
The 2026 Il Lombardia takes place on Saturday 10 October 2026. Racing typically begins in the late morning local time with an expected finish in the late afternoon after more than six hours of action. Italy is on Central European Summer Time until late October, so the finish falls in the mid to late afternoon UK time and late morning Eastern Time in the United States. A Gran Fondo Lombardia amateur event is held the following day, Sunday 11 October, over part of the same roads.
Where is Il Lombardia?
The 2026 race starts in Bergamo and finishes in Como, covering around 252 kilometres of the Lombardy region. The route passes through classic climbs of the race, including the Madonna del Ghisallo, the Muro di Sormano and the Civiglio, and hugs the shores of Lake Como in its final kilometres. The Ghisallo is particularly famous as the spiritual home of cycling, topped by a small chapel dedicated to the patron saint of cyclists. Organisers confirm the exact direction of the route each year.
Key Contenders
Il Lombardia attracts the best climbers and stage racers in the sport. Tadej Pogacar has won the race four times in a row from 2021 to 2024 and is expected to return as the overwhelming favourite in 2026. Jonas Vingegaard, Remco Evenepoel, Primoz Roglic, Juan Ayuso and Enric Mas will all be riders to watch on the steep ramps of Sormano and Ghisallo. Julian Alaphilippe, Romain Bardet and Tom Pidcock are among the puncheurs who could also feature in a breakaway finale.
The race is often a farewell event for retiring riders and a chance for stage racers to close their seasons on a high after the Grand Tours and World Championships.
How to Watch
In the United Kingdom, Il Lombardia is broadcast live on Eurosport and Discovery+ via subscription, with highlights on GCN Race Pass. In Italy, the race is shown live on RAI free-to-air, as well as RAI Sport. In France and across Europe, Eurosport holds the rights. In the United States, the race streams live on Peacock via NBC Sports, and FloBikes offers additional coverage. The race is also distributed via the UCI WorldTour broadcast network to territories across Asia, Africa and Latin America.
History and Records
Il Lombardia was first held in 1905 and is the second oldest Monument after Liege-Bastogne-Liege. Fausto Coppi holds the record for most wins with five, including a run of four consecutive victories from 1946 to 1949. In the modern era, Sean Kelly and Damiano Cunego each won the race three times. Tadej Pogacar’s four wins between 2021 and 2024 are the most in consecutive editions since Coppi. The race has a long tradition of dramatic finales on the climbs above Lake Como, with rainy autumn weather often adding to the difficulty.
Tickets and Attendance
Il Lombardia is a free-to-spectate road race, with no tickets required. The best viewing spots are on the steep climbs of Sormano and Ghisallo, and along the finish straight in Como. Hospitality packages in the finish area are available via official partners and tour operators. Cycling fans often combine the race with the Gran Fondo Lombardia sportive held the following day.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the 2026 Il Lombardia?
The race takes place on Saturday 10 October 2026, with the finish expected in the late afternoon local time.
Where does Il Lombardia start and finish?
The 2026 route runs from Bergamo to Como over approximately 252 kilometres.
How can I watch Il Lombardia?
Live on Eurosport and Discovery+ in the UK and Europe, on RAI in Italy, and on Peacock in the US.
Who won Il Lombardia in 2025?
Tadej Pogacar won Il Lombardia in 2025, extending his winning streak in the Race of the Falling Leaves.