8 kilometers
11:15
The leading group remains in sight
The eleven-strong leading group has a lead of around ten seconds over the peloton, from which there are repeated attacks in order to catch up.
3km
11:07
Group sets off
The leading duo is joined by nine other drivers. Among them are Michael Matthews and Bart Lemmen. In the main field, the tracking work is left to UAE Team Emirates – XRG.
1 km
11:06
Race is released
The race is released and Quinn immediately attacks Simmons. The US champion will be supported by Donavan Grondin.
11:04
Looking back at the other monuments
The big favorite for today’s victory, Tadej Pogačar, has always been on the podium at the four other monuments of the year. While he had to settle for third place after a furious sprint to the finish line with Filippo Ganna and Mathieu van der Poel, the world champion still took second place at Paris-Roubaix. The four-time Tour de France champion was able to prevail at both the Tour of Flanders and Liège–Bastogne–Liège. This brings the 27-year-old to a total of nine victories at the cycling monuments.
10:52
Day of farewell
The race in Lombardy is not only the last big race of 2025, but for three drivers it is also the last gallop of their careers. The field of drivers forms a line up for Rafał Majka (UAE Team Emirates – XRG), Simone Petilli (Intermarché – Wanty) and Pieter Serry (Soudal Quick-Step), who are saying goodbye to racing today. The field then starts moving and a roll-in phase of around 8,000 meters follows.
10:45
View of the route
From Como to Bergamo you have to climb around 4,500 meters in altitude. The first challenge of the day comes after around 40 kilometers of the 241 kilometers, the climb Madonna del Ghisallo. As a result, it flattens out again before after 100 kilometers it goes up to Roncola, before the Berbenno climb shortly afterwards. 70 kilometers before the end and around 30 kilometers later, the biggest challenges are on the agenda. The Passo della Crocetta and the Passo di Ganda are likely to serve as executioners. If the longer climbs are not enough for a preliminary decision, there is another small ramp at Colle Aperto 4000 meters before the finish line.
10:33
Extended circle of favorites
Many big names are coming to the last big race of 2025. From the perspective of the Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe team, Jai Hindley and Primož Roglič are among those leaving, but they have more of an outside chance. Romain Grégoire (Groupama – FDJ), Thomas Pidcock (Q36.5 Pro Cycling) and Mattias Skjelmose Jensen (Lidl – Trek), who have recently had strong placings, should have better cards. There is also the Tudor Pro Cycling Team with Julian Alaphilippe and Marc Hirschi, who are also still in good shape. EF Education-EasyPost is also going into the race with a strong team, as Ben Healy as well as Richard Carapaz and Neilson Powless are at the start. So the field is very prominent, but the victory will probably only come over Tadej Pogačar.
10:22
Competition from your own team?
One of the biggest competitors for the four-time Tour de France champion comes from his own team! With Isaac del Toro, a second favorite from the UAE Team Emirates – XRG is taking to the track. The Mexican has been in outstanding form recently and won the Gran Piemonte one-day race on Thursday and was also able to prevail at the Giro dell’Emilia a week ago. The 21-year-old has won a total of six races in Italy since the beginning of September. If the sporting management allows him, he is one of Tadej Pogačar’s potential opponents. In addition to del Toro, the double Olympic champion from Paris 2024, Remco Evenepoel, is of course one of the favorites. The Belgian recently presented himself as the strongest rider behind the high-flyer of recent years and came second at both the European and World Championships.
10:09
Pogačar’s fifth prank?
The Lombardy tour in the north of Italy is almost tailor-made for Tadej Pogačar. The reigning world and European champion has won the last four events and, with another success, could catch up with the legendary Fausto Coppi, who was the only driver to date to win the monument five times. Unsurprisingly, the Slovenian is the big favorite for the 241 kilometers from Como to Bergamo. The 27-year-old has not only shown his form recently at the international championships, but he also won Tre Valli Varesine in a very convincing manner on Tuesday. He could also have struck at the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal about a month ago, but Pogačar let his teammate Brandon McNulty win.
10:01
Welcome
Hello and welcome to the fifth and final cycling monument of 2025 – Il Lombardia! From 10:40 a.m., 167 drivers will start the journey from Como towards Bergamo.