Il Lombardia 2026 will close the elite men’s road season with an unusually open fight on Saturday, October 10. Five-time defending champion Tadej Pogačar will miss the race through injury, leaving Remco Evenepoel, Brandon McNulty, Paul Seixas, Isaac del Toro and others to chase the final Monument of the year.

The 120th edition starts in Bergamo and finishes in Como after 239km and 4,600 meters of climbing. The race changes direction from the 2025 route, bringing the Civiglio descent and the final San Fermo della Battaglia climb back into the decisive late phase.

For the first time since 2020, Il Lombardia will crown a winner not named Pogačar. His absence removes the rider who has dominated the race and shaped rival tactics for half a decade.

Il Lombardia 2026 route returns to Como finale

The race starts at 10:45 a.m. CET in Bergamo. Organizers expect the winner in Como between 4:40 p.m. and 5:20 p.m. CET.

The course includes nine climbs if the early Bocche di Gavarno rise counts. The opening section around Bergamo gives attackers space before the route crosses Brianza and drops toward Lecco.

From there, the peloton follows Lake Como to Bellagio and the Madonna del Ghisallo. That famous climb rises 8.6km at 6.2 percent to the sanctuary above the lake.

Before the Ghisallo, riders face Bocche di Gavarno, Selvino, Colle di Berbenno and Valpiana. The new Giovenzana climb adds another difficulty with around 100km remaining.

Giovenzana measures 3.6km and averages 9.2 percent. It includes a 750-meter section at 14 percent, with ramps reaching 16 percent.

The final phase revolves around San Fermo della Battaglia, Civiglio and San Fermo again. Civiglio climbs 4.2km at 9.7 percent on narrow roads, then drops through a twisting descent toward Como.

That descent has helped decide the race before. Vincenzo Nibali used it on the way to victories in 2015 and 2017.

San Fermo measures 2.7km at 7.2 percent. Its second ascent tops out around 5km from the line, before a fast descent and flat final kilometer.

Evenepoel and McNulty lead the favorites

Evenepoel enters as the leading favorite in Pogačar’s absence. He has finished second in the past two editions and already owns two Liège-Bastogne-Liège victories.

A win in Como would give Evenepoel his third Monument title and first Il Lombardia victory. Rivals will try to deny him any gap on the final circuit.

McNulty brings the world champion’s jersey to a race no American has won. His Montréal victory underlined his strength in long, attritional races.

UAE also has del Toro among its options. That gives the team another card as it tries to keep the trophy within its ranks despite Pogačar’s absence.

Several teams can start with more than one potential winner. That should make the race harder to control than recent editions.

Lidl-Trek brings several cards to Como

Giulio Ciccone arrives after a narrow photo-finish defeat to Evenepoel at the European championships. The steep final circuit suits his climbing style.

He also carries home interest into the final Monument. Italy has not won Il Lombardia since Nibali took his second title in 2017.

Juan Ayuso gives Lidl-Trek another contender for the climbs. Quinn Simmons also appears on the provisional start list after finishing fourth last year.

Seixas and del Toro add more uncertainty to the tactical picture. Both riders have the climbing ability to reach the decisive phase.

Their approach could shape the race before the final climbs. They can wait for Civiglio and San Fermo, or attack earlier to force a selection.

Tom Pidcock and Matteo Jorgenson also feature among the notable names on the provisional start list. Their presence deepens a field already missing its most dominant reference point.

Race details

• Date: Saturday, October 10
• Edition: 120th
• Start: Bergamo, Italy
• Finish: Como, Italy
• Distance: 239km
• Elevation gain: 4,600 meters
• Expected finish: 4:40 p.m. to 5:20 p.m. CET
• Defending champion: Tadej Pogačar, sidelined with injury
• Nickname: Race of the Falling Leaves

The final Monument rarely offers comfort, even at the end of a long season. This year, without Pogačar, it offers something different: uncertainty from Bergamo to Como.

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• McNulty to debut rainbow jersey at Giro dell’Emilia on San Luca
• European Championships road race: Evenepoel targets missing crown in Slovenia
• Brandon McNulty set for rainbow jersey debut at Giro dell’Emilia
• McNulty Del Toro alliance questions follow Montréal worlds finale