Il Lombardia 2026: Pogačar’s Absence Opens Wide Field for Evenepoel, McNulty, and Seixas
The 120th Il Lombardia takes place on October 10, 2026, without five-time champion Tadej Pogačar, creating a wide-open field. The 239km route from Bergamo to Como features 4,600m of climbing, including the Ghisallo, Civiglio, and San Fermo. Favorites include Remco Evenepoel, world champion Brandon McNulty, and Paul Seixas, with weather expected to be mild at 20°C.
Key points
- Tadej Pogačar is absent due to injury, marking the first time since 2020 that a rider other than him will contest the final Monument.
- The race covers 239km with 4,600m of vertical gain, starting in Bergamo and finishing in Como on October 10, 2026.
- Key climbs include the Madonna del Ghisallo, Civiglio (9.7% average), and two ascents of San Fermo della Battaglia.
- Remco Evenepoel is the top favorite, followed by world champion Brandon McNulty and Paul Seixas.
- Weather is forecast to be 20°C with weak sunshine and minimal wind, with the finish expected between 4:40 and 5:20 PM CET.
Background
Il Lombardia is the final Monument of the 2026 season, often called the 'Race of the Falling Leaves.' Tadej Pogačar had won the race five times previously, matching Fausto Coppi's record. The 2026 edition is the 120th, with the route reversing direction from the 2025 edition. The absence of Pogačar is significant as he dominated the Monument Classics in recent years, with 19 of the last 25 Monument victories shared between him and Mathieu van der Poel.
How outlets are covering it
The Inner Ring highlights the open nature of the race due to Pogačar's absence, noting Isaac del Toro's potential despite a knee injury and Brandon McNulty's status as world champion. Velo emphasizes Evenepoel as the five-star favorite and notes the tactical challenge for Seixas and del Toro to overcome each other. Cyclingnews frames the race as a return to unpredictability, comparing the power vacuum to the World Championships, and notes the historical dominance of Pogačar in Monuments. Commenters on The Inner Ring debate whether Evenepoel's increased weight will hinder him on the climbs, while others suggest a surprise winner like Ben Healy or Matteo Jorgenson could emerge due to tactical chaos.
Why it matters
This race determines the final Monument winner of the 2026 season and could break the recent dominance of Pogačar and van der Poel in the five Monuments. It offers a chance for riders like Evenepoel, McNulty, and Seixas to claim their first Monument victory, impacting their legacy and team dynamics for the next season.
What to watch
The race starts at 10:45 AM CET on October 10, 2026, with the finish expected between 4:40 and 5:20 PM CET. The Ghisallo climb is scheduled for around 3:00 PM, and the final climbs around 4:15 PM. Broadcasts are available on RAI Sport, Eurosport, FloBikes, and SBS.
- Il Lombardia Preview The Inner Ring
- Il Lombardia 2026 Cheat Sheet: Route, Climbs, Favorites, Storylines for Final Monument of 2026 Outside Magazine
- Liveblog: follow the build-up to Il Lombardia here Team Visma
- A rare return to unpredictability as no Tadej Pogačar at Il Lombardia opens the door to the same anarchy as Worlds – Analysis Cyclingnews
- 2026 Il Lombardia Preview: A new winner in Pogačar's absence Escape Collective
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