Il Lombardia 2025: the route has been unveiled

Presented today at Rinascente Milano, Piazza Duomo, the Grande Weekend de Il Lombardia which will bring down the curtain on the RCS Sports & Events cycling season on Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 October.

The “Classic of the Falling Leaves”, the last Monument of the year, will start in Como and finish in Bergamo after 238 km, on a route replicating that of 2023.

Six iconic climbs feature on the course, beginning with the Madonna del Ghisallo, followed by Roncola, Berbenno, Passo della Crocetta, Zambla Alta, and Passo di Ganda.

The last four editions have all been dominated by World Champion Tadej Pogačar, who, should he win again, would set a record of consecutive victories unmatched even by Fausto Coppi.

The Route

Starting in Como, and heading for Cantù, the route takes in the Ghisallo (coming from Asso), descends into Bellagio and reaches Lecco, running along the lakeshore. After entering the province of Bergamo, the route takes in a succession of climbs and descents, with nearly no flat stretches inbetween, leading all the way to the finish. After negotiating the Roncola (Valico di Valpiana, with gradients reaching 17%), the riders will be tackling Berbenno, Dossena, Zambla Alta and Passo di Ganda, with a comprehensive altitude gain of over 4,400 m. Past Ganda, the route arrives in Selvino where it takes a long descent comprising 19 hairpins. The following 9 kilometres (the only flat stretch of the race finale) serve as an approach to the city. The route then passes through Città Alta, heading for the finish.

Final kilometres

In the final kilometres, the route runs across the upper city (Bergamo Alta), climbing up to reach Porta Garibaldi and then Largo Aperto (covering 200 metres on pebble paving). In the first part, gradients never fall below 10% (with a maximum of 12%). Along the descent, the roadway is wide and the surface is smooth. With 1,800 m to the finish, a sharp bend and a short stretch of narrowed roadway lead through Porta Sant’Agostino. The road takes a wide bend to the left after the flamme rouge, leading to the finish line. The home stretch (800 m long, on 7.5 m wide asphalt road) runs initially downwards and levels out afterwards.

Click here to discover all the details about Il Lombardia 2025 route.

The Teams

18 UCI WorldTeams, 7 UCI ProTeams (25 teams with 7 riders each):

18 UCI WorldTeams

ALPECIN-DECEUNINCK
ARKEA-B&B HOTELS
BAHRAIN VICTORIOUS
COFIDIS
DECATHLON AG2R LA MONDIALE TEAM
EF EDUCATION – EASYPOST
GROUPAMA-FDJ
INEOS GRENADIERS
INTERMARCHÉ – WANTY
LIDL-TREK
MOVISTAR TEAM
RED BULL – BORA – HANSGROHE
SOUDAL QUICK-STEP
TEAM JAYCO ALULA
TEAM PICNIC POSTNL
TEAM VISMA | LEASE A BIKE
UAE TEAM EMIRATES – XRG
XDS ASTANA TEAM

3 Qualified by ranking

ISRAEL – PREMIER TECH
LOTTO
UNO-X MOBILITY

4 Wild cards

Q36.5 PRO CYCLING TEAM
TEAM POLTI VISITMALTA
TUDOR PRO CYCLING TEAM
VF GROUP BARDIANICSF-FAIZANE’

Click here to discover all the Teams of Il Lombardia 2025.

Quotes

Paolo Bellino, CEO and General Manager of RCS Sports & Events: “Il Lombardia is a historic and spectacular Monument Classic. With the Grande Weekend we are celebrating not only the conclusion of our event season, but also the value cycling brings to the territories and communities that host it. The live, full TV broadcast will showcase the race and the beauty of the landscapes around the world. This is what makes Il Lombardia unique: its ability to unite the entire cycling community, from professionals to amateurs, in an internationally recognized celebration”

Stefano Allocchio, Race Director, RCS Sport: “The alternation between Como and Bergamo has now become a tradition, guaranteeing spectacular racing at the highest level. For this edition, we decided to bring back the 2023 route, a selective and fascinating course featuring many of the race’s historic climbs. We expect an extraordinary turnout, both from riders and the fans lining the roads, confirming the unique charm of this Monument Classic”.

Alessandro Rapinese, Mayor of Como: “October 11 will be the day of Il Lombardia, the ‘Dead Leaves Classic’ which this year starts from Como. Hosting the race start offers fans the chance to meet their heroes up close, and it will be thrilling to share the moment when the race that formally closes the World Tour calendar begins. I invite the citizens of Como to show their warmth and enthusiasm for this globally broadcast event, which will showcase our territory to the world”.

Marcella Messina, Councillor for Sport, Municipality of Bergamo: “Il Lombardia is a prestigious event that attracts thousands of fans and spectators. The arrival in Bergamo represents a significant economic opportunity for the city, thanks to the visibility and tourism it generates. Our Venetian walls, cobbled streets, and historic charm will be broadcast worldwide, bringing pride and social cohesion to the local community. This event not only promotes cycling but also encourages a healthy lifestyle and strengthens collaboration between sports and local institutions”.

Vincenzo Nibali: “Il Lombardia has always had a special place in my career and in my heart. Winning this Monument twice, on such a fascinating and demanding course, remains among the greatest emotions of my sporting life. Returning here as a former rider brings back those memories and reminds me how prestigious and coveted Il Lombardia is on the international calendar”.

Marco Briata, Head of Retail and Digital Marketing at Crédit Agricole Italia: “Crédit Agricole has a long tradition of supporting cycling, a sport that embodies loyalty, determination, and sustainability—values we strongly believe in. Following the success of previous editions, we are proud to continue our partnership with RCS as top sponsor of Il Lombardia, reaffirming our commitment to promoting the territories through this historic and internationally renowned Monument Classic”.

Gran Fondo Il Lombardia Felice Gimondi Wurth Modyf

On Sunday 12 October, Cantù will once again host the Gran Fondo Il Lombardia Felice Gimondi Würth Modyf, giving amateur cyclists from around the world the chance to ride on legendary climbs that have shaped the history of this sport. Alongside the course, the official jerseys designed by Castelli were also unveiled.

QUOTES

Luca Onofrio, Head of Mass Events at RCS Sports & Events: “The Gran Fondo is a unique celebration open to all enthusiasts, amateurs, and ‘heroes of the pedal.’ Last year we had 2,200 participants, 40% of them from abroad—numbers that confirm the strong international appeal of the event and the affection amateurs have for iconic climbs like the Muro di Sormano and the Madonna del Ghisallo. With such a turnout, the Gran Fondo is not just a great sporting experience, but also a showcase for the territories involved and a stage for high-level amateur cycling”.

Matteo Mursia, Chief Revenue Officer at RCS Sports & Events: “Our cycling events have always stood out for their strong international appeal, as confirmed by the presence of a prestigious Presenting Sponsor such as Würth Modyf. The Gran Fondo Il Lombardia offers fans from all over the world the chance to experience the atmosphere of a Monument Classic. At the same time, Il Lombardia, with Crédit Agricole as Presenting Sponsor, confirms its ability to attract top global brands, further enhancing the value and credibility of our events”.

Giuseppe Molteni, Councillor for Sport of the Municipality of Cantù:“The Gran Fondo Il Lombardia is much more than a cycling race: it is a celebration of sport and community that brings athletes and fans to Cantù from all over Italy and abroad. We are proud to host Il Lombardia once again this year, an event that combines competition, passion, and the promotion of our territory. Cantù confirms itself as a city capable of welcoming major sporting events and turning them into opportunities for encounter and enhancement for everyone. My thanks go to RCS and CC Canturino for making this important day of sport possible”.

Alessandra Frum, Marketing and Communication Director at La Rinascente: “Our commitment to the city goes beyond retail: supporting culture and major events is fundamental for us. Partnering with RCS Sport for the Gran Fondo Il Lombardia perfectly embodies our vision of offering unique experiences that go ‘out of context’ and create value for the community”.

Sarah Steviano, Head of Marketing at Würth Modyf Group: “We are proud to support the Gran Fondo Il Lombardia as Title Sponsor. At Würth Modyf, a brand of workwear and footwear, we also take pride in dressing those who work passionately behind the scenes to make this event possible. Our motto ‘We are fans of sports’ reflects our authentic bond with the world of sport and its community, which we are excited to celebrate through this extraordinary event”.

Norma Gimondi: “I am very moved that, for the second consecutive year, the Gran Fondo Il Lombardia—one of the most important and prestigious amateur events—will bear my father’s name. The ‘Dead Leaves Classic’ was always special to him, and the same unique emotions will be experienced by the amateur riders tackling these iconic roads”.

Click here to discover more on the Gran Fondo Il Lombardia Felice Gimondi.