Heavy rain forecast to disrupt countdown to Il Lombardia
Italian summer ends with a downpour for Gran Piemonte and vital reconnaissance rides.
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Europe and Italy have endured a long hot summer but the weather is expected to change dramatically before Saturday's Il Lombardia, with heavy rain forecast for Thursday's recon rides and the Gran Piemonte race.
Orange weather alerts have been issued across the Lombardy region on Thursday, with 40mm of rain expected in Bergamo and Como, which host the start and finish of this year's Il Lombardia.
Fortunately the rain will ease on Friday, with dry roads expected for Il Lombardia. However temperatures will be much lower, with 15C expected at the start in Bergamo and 20C for the finish in Como. This year's race will be a very autumnal affair with a mordor sunset, falling leaves, cold conditions on the high climbs, and so a need for gilets and arm warmers.
Thursday's heavy rain will disrupt the Il Lombardia recon rides and the Gran Piemonte race.
All the leading teams and big-name favourites carry out a vital recon ride on Thursday so they can rest up on Friday before Saturday's 239 km race. Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) and Paul Seixas (Decathlon CMA CGM) are expected to travel to Italy on Wednesday to prepare for Il Lombardia.
Teams will want to ride the final 110km of the Bergamo to Como route to study the mid-race Giovenzana climb and descent, the climb up to the Madonna del Ghisallo chapel and especially the final and decisive San Fermo della Battaglia and Civiglio climbs near Como.
However few riders will want to spend four hours under heavy rain so close to a major Monument Classic and at this late moment of the 2026 season. Some will surely opt to ride the rollers in their hotel and do a shorter recon on Friday.
A number of Il Lombardia contenders are on the entry list for Gran Piemonte but may change their plans to avoid the rain.
World Champion Brandon McNulty and Isaac del Toro are named on the entry list for UAE Team Emirates-XRG, with Jarno Widar part of the Lotto Intermarché team.
Quinn Simmons and Giulio Ciccone are not part of the Lidl-Trek line-up, with Mads Pedersen leading the team for the rolling race from Asti to Bra in the Piemonte vineyards.
Netcompany-Ineos have also opted for a very different line-up to their expected Il Lombardia squad, with Enric Mas also only part of Movistar's Il Lombardia team.
Rest, recons and avoiding rain are all part of the preparations for Il Lombardia.
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