Il Lombardia

Il Lombardia delivers the most punishing autumn one-day race in cycling, with over 4,500 meters of climbing across 240 kilometers of hills above Lake Como. The course’s final climb, the Passo di Ganda, spikes at 15% gradient, forcing decisive attacks on narrow, leaf-strewn roads—a grittier challenge than the smoother Dolomites routes at #7. Compared to the tamer Strade Bianche, Il Lombardia’s 2025 edition saw an average speed of just 38.2 km/h due to relentless descents and cobbled sections. Riders face 11 categorized climbs, making it 20% hillier than the typical Italian classic, with only the Mortirolo Pass at #6 boasting steeper short ramps.