The jersey dedicated to the unforgettable Felice Gimondi, designed and produced by Castelli, was unveiled today in the Lombardy Region headquarters, and will be awarded to the winner of the end-of-season Classic Monument on Saturday 12 October. Il Lombardia NamedSport 2019 features many of the Lombardy Region’s iconic cycling places on its route and promises to be spectacular, with many champions at the start.
The President of Lombardy Region, Attilio Fontana, said: “Thanks to the organisers and especially to the riders who always deliver a great show on the roads of our Region. With Il Lombardia, we will live a beautiful day of sport, made special by its dedication to Felice Gimondi. He was one of the most loved riders because he interpreted cycling in its most authentic way, making fatigue and suffering on a bike his main trait.”
Paolo Bellino, CEO of RCS Sport, said: “This edition of the race has given us a great opportunity to further strengthen our relationship with the Lombardy Region. We wanted to pay tribute to Felice Gimondi and we will do so by dedicating to him this symbolic race, which he has won twice, and which will start from his Bergamo. Furthermore, the winner of this 113th edition will be awarded a special jersey in memory of the great champion. The live images of this edition will be broadcasted on the five continents and I am sure it will be an exciting race to watch for all cycling fans around the world.”
Antonio Rossi, Counselor for Major Sporting Events of Lombardy Region said: “Il Lombardia is one of the great events of our Region, that is rich in history of cycling. Il Lombardia includes the most symbolic climbs such as the Ghisallo, the Muro di Sormano and the Civiglio. This year it is very special for me to be able to pay tribute to Gimondi with this race. I really like the idea of seeing the pros on Saturday and being able to ride part of the route the next day with the Gran Fondo Il Lombardia. It is a spectacular race, my congratulations to those who designed it.”
“Felice Gimondi was one of the most important and prestigious personalities in the last six decades of Lombardy sport. For this reason, the idea to dedicate a jersey to his memory during ‘Il Lombardia’ could only have found the full support of the Lombardy Region. It’s a recognition of a sportsman, allowing us an opportunity to remember him a few weeks after his death, as an international icon of international cycling,” added Martina Cambiaghi, Councilor for Sport and Youth Lombardy Region.
