Il Lombardia path to climb Sormano for first time since Remco Evenepoel’s 2020 crash, in other way
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Organisers of the ultimate Monument of the season, Il Lombardia, will deliver the race again to the Colma di Sormano for the primary time since Remco Evenepoel’s terrifying crash in 2020 – however in the wrong way to what has been used because the climb was reintroduced to the race in 2012.
The climb ought to play in favour of defending champion Tadej Pogačar (UAE Staff Emirates), however former winner Vincenzo Nibali mentioned he hopes to see a two-man duel.
“It is a race that I’ve at all times liked, and I’m proud to have gained it twice,” Nibali mentioned. “I actually just like the route, it is robust and selective. Being the final Monument Basic of the yr many riders will arrive drained however on the similar time prepared to fireplace the final shot. I might prefer to see a superb duel between Tadej Pogačar and Remco Evenepoel who, following the evolution of the season, are to be thought of the primary favourites”.
The Sormano in its earlier path included a detour onto a aspect path dubbed the ‘Muro di Sormano’ that kicked as much as gradients of 25% in sections and infrequently pressured riders to ascent on foot. In 1960, organiser Vincenzo Torriani added this stretch to boost a race he feared was not producing worthy winners.
That spectacle got here at a value, nonetheless, because the descent on the opposite aspect is taken into account to be essentially the most technically demanding in skilled biking, and has been the location of a number of devastating crashes.
Evenepoel crashed on that descent in 2020 when he misjudged a pointy left flip and went over the stone wall of a bridge, crashing 5 metres down and fracturing his pelvis. In 2017, Laurens De Plus, Jan Bakelandts, Simone Petilli and Daniel Martínez crashed in a distinct part and plunged right into a ravine.
This time, the Sormano will climb reasonably than descend that treacherous stretch of street, reaching the summit with 42 kilometres to go. The riders will take the a lot gentler primary street on the way in which down the opposite aspect the place a collection of hairpin bends will cut back speeds and, hopefully, present a safer touchdown for the peloton.
The Colma di Sormano is a major a part of the 252-kilometre route from Bergamo to Como that takes in eight named ascents and finishes with a speedy descent.
Map of the 2024 Il Lombardia (Picture credit score: RCS Sport)
The race departs from Bergamo and summits the primary climb, the Forcellino di Bianzano, after 29.9 kilometers of racing. The Ganda climb comes instantly after with the crest at kilometre 49.8. This ascent will get steeper towards the summit, with a most gradient of 15% simply earlier than the highest and a mean of 9.8% for the final 2.7km.
Will probably be an ideal launching pad for the breakaway with a little bit of a plateau earlier than the lengthy, gradual descent.
The profile of the Passo Ganda (Picture credit score: RCS Sport)
The race will settle in for the lengthy haul after the Ganda, with two smaller ascents – the Colle di Berbenno and Valpiana previous a a lot flatter stretch of the route heading to Lake Como.
The Berbenno is easier than the Valpiana, which is over 10 kilometres lengthy and averages 6.2%, with a stretch of 10% gradients close to the foot of the climb.
(Picture credit score: RCS Sport)
The route passes Lecco and Onno earlier than becoming a member of the standard route towards the Madonna del Ghisallo ascent, which can be taken from the far much less demanding aspect after the Sella di Osigo climb.
A speedy descent towards Bellagio brings the route alongside the lake, with this flat stretch giving riders one final relaxation earlier than the Sormano.
The profile of the Sella di Osigo and Madonna del Ghisallo (Picture credit score: RCS Sport)
As soon as the riders hit the bottom of the Sormano in Nesso, the race will explode on the 13-kilometre climb. The primary 10 kilometres common 6.9% however there are steeper sections together with a 13% stretch earlier than a short plateau. Then, the ultimate kilometre averages over 9% earlier than the highest.
Laura Weislo
Laura set out from Bellagio to attempt to trip the Sormano in 2013 however chickened out on driving the descent in moist, foggy circumstances. Descending within the path the race will go in 2024, she discovered it to be a lot simpler and with a far decrease hazard of grievous bodily hurt.
(Picture credit score: RCS Sport)
The short descent snakes down into Maglio earlier than levelling out with a mild downhill all the way in which to Como.
The riders should sort out the San Fermo della Battaglia ascent with a brief stretch of 10% grades earlier than plunging towards the end line.
The profile of the ultimate kilometre (Picture credit score: RCS Sport)
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