Granfondo Il Lombardia 2026

The route

The day after the professionals race Il Lombardia, the Monument known as the Race of the Falling Leaves, amateur riders follow the same route between the lakes and the Brianza hills. The Granfondo Il Lombardia takes place on 11 October from Como over 140 km and 70 km. There are very few sportives in the world that can offer this: the same asphalt, the same course, the same week. The climb to the Madonna del Ghisallo at 754 metres — the chapel housing bicycles of cycling's champions — is the most emotionally charged moment of the day for any rider who knows the history of the race.

The route runs along Lake Como, climbs to the Madonna del Ghisallo, and crosses the Brianza hills, which are modest in altitude but relentless in succession. The côtes of Il Lombardia are not Alpine passes, but in October, with accumulated kilometres in the legs and wet pavé if it has rained, they carry a real sting. The 70 km route is a sensible entry point into this course without the commitment of the full distance. October provides the perfect backdrop: Lombard autumn colours are among the most photographed of the cycling season.

October on Lake Como brings 14-20°C, autumn colours, and light that makes photography effortless. The weather is generally stable but wetter than summer. The most characteristic local wind is the Tivano, a northerly that descends along the lake from the Alps, which can be a relevant headwind on the southbound lakeside sections: 15-25 km/h against you is common on those stretches. The Brianza hill sections are more sheltered by terrain and vegetation, and the Ghisallo, while somewhat exposed, is not a pass where wind is the deciding factor.

Como has direct rail connections to Milan in under an hour, and Malpensa airport is about 50 km away. October in northern Italy is the season for closing out the cycling year, and many riders choose this sportive as their final event of the season. The atmosphere on Granfondo Il Lombardia day, with the professional race the day before as context, creates something few popular events can match. For October in Como: a light thermal jersey, thin gloves for the morning, and take a moment on each lakeside descent to look at the water before it is over.

Variants and GPX

Past editions

Real Open-Meteo weather on each edition day.

How to register

Registration, price and rules are on the official website of the organization. Official march website →

More information

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