IL LOMBARDIA

250 kilometers is not. Not if you drive from Bergamo to Como. The direct route is therefore not possible for the cyclists. Therefore, some mountains are scratched. It is true that one rarely gets higher than 1000 meters, but in total there are 5000 meters of altitude difference. With a route length of 253 kilometers. 

The race is the top classic in autumn. It is therefore also called the ride of the falling leaves. But the riders don't have to be afraid of failing on the steep descents today. For one thing, it's sunny and the roads are dry. On the other hand, it still looks pretty green. The leaves are still hanging on the branches. climate change.

 

Right at the beginning of the race, a fairly large group pulls away. The Frenchman Paret Peintre misses the exit and has to rush behind. Although he is 50 seconds behind, he catches up with the boys. In the further course, these ten drivers get up to 5 minutes. Then checkout is done.

70 kilometers before the end, at the beginning of the climb on the Ghisallo Pass, the breakaways are caught. The climb has a length of 8 kilometers and an average gradient of 6 percent. Above is the famous cycling chapel and the cycling museum. That was set up because there wasn't room in the chapel for the old stuff. However, the ascent is a must for cycling enthusiasts. Just like you have to visit the place on Mont Ventoux where the Tom Simpsen collapses. Unusual.

In the ascent to the Ghisallo, the first people are left behind. Then it goes down in the direction of Como. The place is provisionally approached 40 km before the end. Then come the Bataglia hills. The race will probably be decided there. At the end of 20 kilometers the bell is rung loudly. You drive past the finish line for the first time and are allowed to drive up to the Fermo della Battaglia again.

The peloton drives through Como as one. But there aren't too many anymore. Team Emirates seems up to something. It runs with 5 riders at the head of the cohort. When crossing the finish line, the bora show up again. At least four of them. Kelderman, Vlassov and Higuita. Fabbro is there too. However, Keldermann does not survive the climb at kilometers. 

On the climb to the Civiglo, the penultimate pass, the Civiglio, Pogacar from the UAE team attacks. He must be feeling good because his team has worked hard for him. Only Mas and Landa can keep up. But Pogarcar doesn't like it and they lose Landa. He comes back on the descent. You have 40 seconds ahead of the pursuers with Valverde, Higuita and Vingegaard. 

Eight kilometers before the end, it goes up again to San Fermo della Battaglia. But that's not the end of the battle. First Landa will be on the rise again. Mas from Movistar starts the attack this time. Pogacar counters just before the summit. Mas keeps up. There are still 5 kilometers to the finish.

The two make up their minds. Landa can't get to it anymore. 150 m before the end, Mas starts the sprint. As expected, Pogacar is faster and cheers a few meters from the finish line.

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