Peloton Halts Il Lombardia Start in Safety Protest as Seixas Claims Historic Win

Key points

• Riders refused to start the race for five minutes, with Remco Evenepoel addressing the crowd in Bergamo to demand better safety standards.
• Paul Seixas won the 239km race, finishing 48 seconds ahead of Enric Mas, marking his first Monument victory and the first for a Frenchman since 2019.
• The protest was triggered by a series of incidents, including the death of Fin Tarling in Portugal and collisions with police motorcycles in Italy earlier that week.
• The CPA union called on the UCI to enforce stricter safety requirements, noting that riders cannot accept the risk of death or injury on race courses.

Background

The Giro di Lombardia, known as the Race of the Falling Leaves, is the final of the five prestigious Monument races. Tadej Pogacar, who won the previous five editions, was absent due to a season-ending injury sustained at the Vuelta a Espana. The current safety crisis follows a string of fatal and serious incidents in 2026, including the death of 19-year-old Fin Tarling in August and multiple collisions with police vehicles during Italian classics earlier in October.

How outlets are covering it

BBC Sport and The Guardian emphasized the historic nature of Seixas's victory, highlighting his age and the fact that he is the first French winner of the race since 2018. Cyclingnews focused on the mechanics of the protest, noting that Evenepoel, Pidcock, and Ciccone approached officials before the start to coordinate the delay. All outlets agreed on the core message of the protest: a demand for immediate action from the UCI and organizers to secure race roads, contrasting with the UCI's recent consultation which suggests major reforms may not be implemented until 2029.

Why it matters

The protest signals a potential shift in the power dynamics between professional cyclists and the UCI, as riders use their collective leverage to demand immediate safety improvements rather than waiting for long-term regulatory changes. Seixas's victory also marks a generational shift in the Monument races, ending a five-year dominance by Pogacar and highlighting the rise of new talent in the sport.

What to watch

The UCI is expected to respond to the CPA union's demands for stricter enforcement of safety standards. The next major event on the UCI World Tour calendar will likely face increased scrutiny regarding road security and vehicle control. Seixas will likely be a key contender in future classics, having now won a Monument in his third appearance.