It’s time for the “Classic of the Dead Leaves”, the last Classic Monument race of the season, will run tomorrow on the same route as the 2015 edition, when Vincenzo Nibali rode to a solo victory.
“It was one of my finest victories – says The Shark – who came with a downhill attack that still rages today. It will be a very difficult race on a really technical and selective course. There will not be many riders who can win”.
“I arrive at this race – concludes – well prepared after the Vuelta and several races in Italy with good results. On Tuesday I tried again the final and I think I’m ready to play my cards”.
Il Lombardia has a very selective route from Bergamo to Como for 248 km with six climbs and 4,000 meters of vertical elevation. The first climb, Colle Gallo, is followed by Colle Brianza; and after the town of Onno the riders climb the Madonna del Ghisallo, followed by the Muro di Sormano. The race descends to the lake of Como and onto the last two climbs: Civiglio and San Fermo della Battaglia, before reaching the finish line on Lungo Lario Trento e Trieste in Como.
“We have a team at the height of the event” comments SD Alberto Volpi – “where everyone will play an important role helping Nibali. In the final I look forward to see Visconti, Gasparotto and Pellizotti, while others will have to work in the first part”.
“I expect the usual hard race – he adds – where the Muro di Sormano will be the watershed. Then the last two climbs will be the ideal trampoline for those who want to win the race”.
TEAM BAHRAIN MERIDA lineup for Il Lombardia: Vincenzo Nibali, Enrico Gasparotto, Antonio Nibali, Franco Pellizotti, Giovanni Visconti, Janez Brajkovic, Domen Novak and Luka Pibernik
