1. For the route
At 111 km in length, the route of the 2022 Gran Fondo Il Lombardia will start from and finish in Cantù, after taking in two of cycling’s most sacred climbs: the Muro di Sormano and the Ghisallo. And there is more to this amazing scenery: the undulations just after the start, to warm up the legs and ease into the racing pace before the ‘Muro’; the technical descent dropping from the Colma di Sormano into Nesso, where the houses seem to be jutting into the water; the beautiful view from the lakefront that runs from Como to Regatola, reminiscent of Manzoni’s novel; and the closing kilometres, undulating all the way to the final spurt towards the finish line in the centre of Cantù, where this adventure will finally be over and celebration may begin.
2. For the race pack
It is no secret that all Gran Fondo riders pay special attention to the race pack. Here is why the Gran Fondo Il Lombardia has been constantly evolving also in this respect.
This year, we’ll be introducing an environmentally friendly “virtual race pack”, in which every participant will find personal gift coupons and special offers.
There will be, of course, ‘tangible’ exclusive freebies, including the highlight of the race pack: the brand new official jersey by Castelli Cycling, specifically designed and created for this edition.
3. For the spirit of sharing
Riding a Gran Fondo is not just about performance or race time, results or rankings.
What is its true nature, then? It’s the thrill of riding in a stunning and unique setting with many other people with a common passion, stopping at aid stations to catch your breath as needed. It’s the opportunity of getting to know people who share the same, endless love for cycling along the route, and the joy of celebrating with your newfound friends after crossing the finish line. There were over 1,500 people at the start line last year, and hopefully there will be even more of you this year!
4. To challenge your limits
Taking part in a race like the Gran Fondo Il Lombardia is always an exciting challenge for experienced cyclists and rookies alike, no matter if your goal is to improve your time and ranking compared to the previous years, or to experience the thrill of the race for the first time.
The route is tough, but not too long, so that all participants can have something to sink their teeth into – to challenge their limits, improve themselves and get to know themselves better. That’s the magic of cycling.
5. To feel like a great little hero
Every amateur cyclist must surely feel like a great little hero when tackling the eye-wateringly steep Muro di Sormano, or the iconic switchbacks of the Ghisallo. Here’s why “Ride like a hero” is the motto of the Gran Fondo Il Lombardia. Since 1919 (when the Ghisallo first featured on the route of the Giro di Lombardia), the greatest cycling aces of all time have been making the history of this sport along these roads – the last one being Pogačar, in 2021. The Gran Fondo is held the day after the Pro race, and all participants will surely be thrilled at the thought of racing on the same roads where their favourites had been battling each other to win the last Monument Classic of the year.
