Il Lombardia
Il Lombardia, first held in 1905, is one of cycling’s five Monuments and the traditional finale to the European road season. Often called The Race of the Falling Leaves, it takes place each October in the Lombardy region of northern Italy and is known for its hilly terrain, winding roads and dramatic autumn scenery. The race has long favoured climbers and strong all-rounders, with the legendary Fausto Coppi holding the record of five victories and Tadej Pogačar among its modern greats.
Il Lombardia, known as The Race of the Falling Leaves, is one of cycling’s five Monuments and among the sport’s oldest and most prestigious one-day races. It was first held in 1905, created on the initiative of Italian journalist Tullo Morgagni, who wanted to give Pierino Albini a chance to challenge Giovanni Cuniolo after losing the short-lived Italian King's Cup. The inaugural race was instead won by Giovanni Gerbi, who finished forty minutes ahead of Giovanni Rossignoli and Luigi Ganna. Since 1907, the event has been organised by La Gazzetta dello Sport, the newspaper that would later go on to create the Giro d’Italia.
The victory of Gerbi set the tone for a race that quickly gained a reputation for its selective terrain, demanding climbs and the striking autumn scenery of northern Italy’s Lombardy region.
In its early years, Il Lombardia became a testing ground for Italian cycling legends. Riders such as Costante Girardengo, Gino Bartali and Fausto Coppi helped define its identity and cement its place in Italian sporting culture. Fausto Coppi, in particular, dominated in the post-war years, taking five victories between 1946 and 1954. That record still stands today.
Through the 20th century, Il Lombardia evolved in character but kept its soul as a climber’s classic. The route has long included some of Italy’s most iconic ascents, among them the Madonna del Ghisallo, Colma di Sormano, Civiglio and San Fermo della Battaglia. These climbs often decide the race in its closing kilometres.
Unlike the cobbled Monuments of northern Europe, Il Lombardia rewards climbers, offering a rare chance for Grand Tour contenders and punchy classics specialists to meet on equal ground.
Over time, the race has also become a truly international event. Belgian greats Eddy Merckx, Roger De Vlaeminck and Philippe Gilbert have all triumphed in Lombardy, along with riders such as Sean Kelly, Tony Rominger and Joaquim Rodríguez, who claimed two victories in the 2010s. In recent seasons, Tadej Pogačar has brought new attention to the race with a remarkable series of victories beginning in 2021.
Today, Il Lombardia is organised by RCS Sport, the same group behind the Giro d’Italia, Milan–San Remo and Tirreno–Adriatico. As the final Monument of the season, Il Lombardia combines challenge and beauty, offering a fitting conclusion to the European racing calendar.
