Anticipation is growing for the Gran Fondo Il Lombardia Enel Green Power, scheduled for 8 October starting and finishing in Cantù. The race, which will take place the day after the last Monument Classic of the year, will give cyclists from all over the world the opportunity to tackle the iconic climbs on which the history of cycling was written, such as Colma di Sormano and Madonna del Ghisallo.
To make things even more epic, as confirmed during the official presentation at Le Biciclette in Milan today, the starting line up will also include Vincenzo Nibali, winner of Il Lombardia in 2015 and 2017, who said goodbye to cycling at the end of last year’s edition of ‘The Classic of the Falling Leaves’.
THE ROUTE OF THE GRAN FONDO IL LOMBARDIA ENEL GREEN POWER
The start and finish are set in the lovely city of Cantù, in the province of Como, where the participants will receive a warm and enthusiastic welcome.
The first 25 km follow the constant undulations of the roads of Brianza, up to Maglio. The following 7 kilometres, leading the riders to the hill of Sormano, are the hardest yet the most exciting of the race. The last two kilometres of this climb, the iconic Muro di Sormano, a totem in worldwide cycling – will be the climax of the race. Here, the route climbs steeply with an average 15.8% gradient, topping out at 27%. The effort will be tremendous, and someone might have to put their foot down. The writings on the tarmac and the signage at the roadside will be there to provide Gran Fondo athletes with the experience of a real Pro.
Less experienced riders may take a 2 km detour allowing them to reach the summit along a milder climb. After a sharp descent diving into Nesso, the route levels out briefly and then undulates again, up to Regatola, where the athletes will tackle the second climb of the day, the Ghisallo. Gradients are high, but not as steep as in Sormano. The climb is not too complicated, and the route winds its way in an enjoyable landscape. The most combative athletes may grind out the bigger gears. This will be a climb for the strong and smart. The average slope is 6.2% over 9 km, topping out at 14% towards the end. On the summit, the riders will be welcomed by the bells of Madonna del Ghisallo and by the most famous museum in cycling history.
At the top of the Ghisallo, 70 km into the Gran Fondo, the riders will have covered nearly two-thirds of the route, and the hardest parts will be behind them. A long (nearly 20 km) and broad descent will lead them to Merone, allowing them to rest their legs before the final 20 kilometres, climbing again in short and steep spurts. After 109 km of racing and 1,700 m in vertical altitude gain, the riders will then reach the finish at the heart of Cantù, to be crowned the heroes of the day.
QUOTES
Vincenzo Nibali, winner of Il Lombardia 2015, 2017: “Getting back to ride on these roads always feels intense. I have wonderful memories of both the editions of Il Lombardia that I won and those in which I participated. Closing my career here was an unforgettable emotion, and getting back to ride these roads with so many cyclists will certainly be a beautiful flashback”.
Mauro Vegni, Director of the Giro d’Italia: “We are in for two days of great cycling, which will showcase the beauty of the Regione Lombardia, which has always been attentive to promoting tourism through sport. The last Monument Classic of the year, Il Lombardia, will take place on Saturday 7, followed the next day by this event that has now become traditional. We are delighted to have a friend of ours like Vincenzo Nibali, who wrote memorable pages of cycling on these roads, stand prominently at the start line”.
Luca Onofrio, Head of Mass Events at RCS Sports & Events: “Like every year, the Gran Fondo Il Lombardia is an unmissable event for cyclists. Its climbs, so tough but at the same time rich in history, tell the essence and beauty of this sport. As always, we expect great participation to experience an enthralling Sunday at the end of a spectacular weekend”.
Antonella Colzani, Councillor for Sport and Equal Opportunities of the Municipality of Cantù: “The City of Cantù has the honour and pleasure of hosting and organising the Gran Fondo Il Lombardia, an international cycling event with the participation of large numbers of enthusiasts from all over the world, once again this year. I would like to thank RCS Sport and the Centocantù Association for giving us the opportunity to bring this important event to our city since 2019. Except when suspended due to the pandemic, this has always been a resounding success. There will be many side events that will be organised to entertain participants and fans visiting our city. It will also be a great opportunity in terms of sports tourism, which promotes the economy, culture, and history of the area. I look forward to welcoming everyone to Cantù for this prestigious day dedicated to sports and social life”.
Barbara Mazzali, Councillor for Tourism, Territorial Marketing and Fashion of the Regione Lombardia: “With climbs that have made history, Lombardia is the ‘most cycling’ region in Italy, with many famous competitions, such as Il Lombardia and its Gran Fondo, that have made our region a land of champions. Our region is open to all cycling tourists, of all ages and levels. The Gran Fondo is an opportunity to tell them about it, bringing together not only enthusiasts but also many families, couples and groups of friends who love to combine cycling, nature and social life. The ‘two wheels’ are the ideal vehicle to promote slow and sustainable tourism and the territories of our region. It is estimated that annual expenditure linked to cycling is 9.5 billion euros, of which about 50 per cent is for sports equipment, travel and journeys. The invitation is therefore, to ‘pedal’ in Lombardia, it is good for the health of cyclists and good for the territory”.
THE SCHEDULE OF THE GRAN FONDO IL LOMBARDIA ENEL GREEN POWER
Saturday OCTOBER 7
- 9.30 Race Number pick-up and new registration for Gran Fondo Il Lombardia Enel Green Power at VILLA CALVI, Via Roma 8, Cantù (CO) with BIKE PARK and opening of VILLAGE
- 19.00 VILLAGE, BIKE PARK and race number pick-up closing time
Sunday, OCTOBER 8 – RACE DAY
- 6.30 Opening of starting grids
- 7.30 START of the 6th Edition of the GRAN FONDO IL LOMBARDIA ENEL GREEN POWER, Corso Europa Cantù (CO); FINISH at Piazza Garibaldi, Cantù (CO)
- 10.45 Awards Ceremony of the Gran Fondo Il Lombardia Enel Green Power at Piazza Garibaldi, Cantù
- 11.30 Pasta Party start, and opening of the BIKE PARK at Piazza del Mercato/Piazza Marconi, Cantù
- 12.30 Age Group Category Awards Ceremony, Cantù
- 14.30 Official time limit
- 15.00 Pasta Party and Bike Park closing time
