The Giro di Lombardia, also known as the Tour of Lombardy, is a prestigious one-day professional cycling race held in the Lombardy region of Italy. It is part of the UCI World Tour and is traditionally one of the final major races of the cycling season, taking place in October. Here are some key aspects of the race:
History
First Edition: The race was first held in 1905, making it one of the oldest classic races in professional cycling.
Organisers: It is organised by RCS Sport, which also organises other significant races like the Giro d’Italia and Milan-San Remo.
Il Lombardia Highlights
Course
Route: The course varies yearly but typically features a challenging route with numerous climbs and descents. It often starts in Como and ends in Bergamo or vice versa, showcasing Lombardy’s scenic and hilly terrain. Usually the race at some point rides close to the shore of Lake Como.
Key Climbs: Notable climbs often included are the Madonna del Ghisallo, a steep and iconic ascent with a chapel dedicated to cyclists, and the Muro di Sormano, known for its extremely steep gradient.
Significance
Monument Status: It is one of the five “Monuments” of European professional road cycling, a category of the most prestigious one-day races.
Nickname: Due to its autumn scheduling, it is often referred to as “The Race of the Falling Leaves.”
Winners: The race has been won by many legendary cyclists, including Fausto Coppi, Eddy Merckx, and, more recently, Vincenzo Nibali and Tadej Pogačar.
Who Is The Event For
Cycling Enthusiasts and Fans:
Passionate Followers: Hardcore fans of professional cycling who follow the UCI World Tour and other major races will find this event particularly compelling as it features many of the sport’s top riders.
History Buffs: Fans who appreciate the rich history of cycling will be drawn to the Giro di Lombardia, given its status as one of the oldest and most prestigious races.
Adventure and Nature Lovers:
Scenic Views: The race offers stunning views of the Lombardy region, including picturesque lakes, rolling hills, and historic towns.
Outdoor Enthusiasts: Spectators who enjoy outdoor activities might combine watching the race with hiking or cycling in the region’s scenic areas.
Event Details
Official Website
Month
October
Number Of Days
1 day
Country
Italy
Entry Costs
Pro Riders/Teams Only
Currency
Euro: 1 = £0.86 (Check)
Visa Requirements
No
Carnets
What is a Carnet, The ATA Carnet, often referred to as the “Passport for goods”, is an international customs document that permits the tax-free and duty-free temporary export and import of nonperishable goods for up to one year
Hotel Cost
Range: ££ – £££££
Food Cost
££ – £££££
Weather
- Average Temp : 15C (59F) to 20C (68F)
- Hours of Sunlight: 11 hours
- Average Rain: 30%
Flights
- Daily
- Cost: £ – £££
Travel Advice
Useful Info
More Cycling Events
Sports and Fitness Fans:
Athletic Challenge: The demanding course, with its steep climbs and technical descents, showcases the riders’ endurance and skill, appealing to those who enjoy watching high-level athletic performances.
Tactics and Strategy: Fans who enjoy the strategic elements of sports will appreciate the race’s dynamic nature, where team tactics and individual strategy play crucial roles.
Katie Kookaburra at Giro di Lombardia (Il Lombardia)
Local Residents and Tourists:
Cultural Experience: Locals and tourists alike can enjoy the festive atmosphere that accompanies the race, including local food, music, and other cultural events.
Accessibility: The race is a great opportunity for residents of the Lombardy region or visitors to see world-class athletes up close without having to travel far.
Families and Casual Viewers:
Festive Environment: The race creates a festive environment with various activities around the event, making it a fun outing for families.
Casual Interest: Even those with a casual interest in sports might find the excitement and spectacle of a major cycling event appealing.
Why It Suits These Spectators
Diverse Appeal: The blend of athletic prowess, historical significance, and scenic beauty makes the race appealing to a broad audience.
Engaging Experience: The challenging nature of the course ensures an engaging and unpredictable race, keeping spectators on the edge of their seats.
Community Atmosphere: The race often passes through small towns and villages, fostering an intense community atmosphere with local support and festivities.
Accessibility: Various vantage points along the route allow spectators to watch the race from multiple locations, enhancing their overall experience.
Staying Near Lake Como
When the Il Lombardia is on we know from experience that you have to book your accommodation early. The longer you leave it the more expensive it can become, that is with all types of accommodation.
Lake Como is already a major tourist destination and attracts around 1.4 million visitors a year so there is plenty of accommodation to choose from.
Bed & Breakfast
You can get accommodation in a B&B for 3 nights at just over £200 . However, the average price is around £350 to £400 while the race is taking place.
Hotels
Smaller hotels can be had for around £350 to £450 mark but the bigger hotels do increase in price. One example is the Griso Collection Hotel where a double room will cost 578 Euro for the 3 nights. If you are need a little more room then they do have suites at a 1000 Euros plus.
Bike Friendly Accommodation
Because the area is renowned for its stunning scenery the are around Lake Como does have cycle friendly accommodation. We have 2 recommended hotels where your bicycles will looked after as well as yourself.
Villa Flori
Everyone knows that Lake Como, with its mountains, is a cycling paradise, a bike district, as they say.
And therefore it’s no surprise that Hotel Villa Flori is fully and completely organised to welcome and satisfy any and every type of cyclist, from racers to cycle tourists, all the way to genteel e-bikers.
What’s more, we even created a well-equipped bike room to accommodate the bicycles of those who prefer to travel with theirs.
3 nights stay with a view of Lake Como is around 3,000 Euros
Do note that the Villa Flori is on the East side of the lake so you will need to travel/cycle down to the start of the race in Como.
Of course there is plenty more to explore once you get there.
Il Perlo
Services for cyclists available at Hotel Il Perlo Panorama
Bike in room allowed
Sampling of local products during rides
GPX routes
GPS rental
For a room without a view of the lake starts from just under 500 euros for the 3 nights.
The hotel Il Perlo is up towards the kink in Lake Como, previous races have always used that route so the race will be coming towards you and you will need less travel to get a view of the pro riders.
airbnb
Surprisingly there are very few airbnb places in Como next to Lake Como itself. The average price for a place is around £120 a night but do expect the closer to the lake the higher price. Typically if you do have a view of the lake then expect to pay around £180 a night.
One thing that we have noticed is that most of the airbnb properties here are only for 2 people. There are rare exception where the property may sleep 3 people. If you are planning to bring your cycle to the Il Lombardia we recommend that you do not book a airbnb because the space is limited.
Food In Lombardia
We are all familiar of the well know food of Italy like, pasta dishes, pizza but what doe they eat locally. Typical dishes of the region
- Risotto alla milanese: This is a rice dish made with saffron, Parmesan cheese, and butter. It is a specialty of Milan and is often served as a side dish or as a main course.
- Ossobuco alla milanese: This is a dish made with veal shanks that are slow-cooked in a tomato-based sauce with carrots, celery, onions, and gremolata (a mixture of garlic, parsley, and lemon zest). It is often served with risotto alla milanese.
- Polenta e brasato: This is a dish made with polenta, a creamy cornmeal porridge, and brasato, a type of beef that is slowly braised with red wine and vegetables until tender.
- Panettone: This is a sweet bread that is typically eaten during the Christmas season. It is made with candied citrus peel, raisins, and other dried fruits and is often served with a cup of coffee or hot chocolate.
- Cassoeula: This is a hearty stew made with pork meat, sausage, and cabbage. It is a traditional dish from the city of Milan and is often served during the winter month
Getting There
Closet Airports To Lake Como
Milano Malpensa Airport (MXP):Distance: Approximately 60-70 kilometres (37-43 miles) from Como.
Transport: Offers direct train services (Malpensa Express) to Como, taking about 1 to 1.5 hours.
Milano Linate Airport (LIN):Distance: About 80-90 kilometres (50-56 miles) from Lake Como.
Transport: Buses connect to Milan’s central station, where you can catch a train to Como, taking around 1 to 1.5 hours.
Bergamo Orio al Serio Airport (BGY):Distance: Roughly 85-95 kilometers (53-59 miles) from Lake Como.
Transport: Shuttle buses to Bergamo railway station, then trains to Como, taking about 1.5 hours to travel.
Lugano Airport (LUG) in Switzerland:Distance: Approximately 33 kilometres (20 miles) from the lake.
Transport: Public transport options are available to cross into Italy, reaching Como in about an hour.
Bike Transportation
Of course if you are taking your own cycle we recommend that you use Shokbox’s Bike Box. Got a x type of bike, we have built the Shokbox Pro just for you, order yours today.
