Bicycle Racing News and Opinion,
Sunday, October 11, 2026
Back to news and opinion index page for links to archived stories | Commentary | Our YouTube page
For a list of all the ways technology has failed to improve the quality of life, please press three. – Alice Kahn
Stoic philosopher Epictetus' Golden Sayings is available in both audiobook & Kindle eBook versions. To get your copy, just click on the Amazon link on the right.
Current racing:
- Oct 11: Paris-Tours
Upcoming racing:
- Oct 13 - 18: Tour of Guangxi
- Oct 13 - 18: Tour of Holland
- Oct 14: Giro del Veneto
- Oct 18: Chrono des Nations
- Oct 18: Veneto Classic
- Oct 18: Japan Cup road Race
Latest completed racing:
- Oct 10: Il Lombardia
- Oct 8: Gran Piemonte
- Oct 3 - 7: Elite European Road Championships
- Oct 6: Tre Valli Varesine
- Oct 6: Binche-Chimay-Binche
- Oct 5: Coppa Bernocchi
- Sept 27 - Oct 4: Le Tour de Langkawi
- Oct 4: Coppa Agostoni
- Oct 3: Giro dell'Emilia
- Oct 3: Sparkassen Münsterland Giro
- September 20 - 27: World Road Championships
We posted the report from winner Paul Seixas' Team Decathlon CMA CGM with the results.
Here's the report from third-place Giulio Ciccone's Team Lidl-Trek:
Giulio Ciccone rounded off his time with Lidl-Trek on the podium at Il Lombardia, securing third place in the final Monument of the season after a hard-fought 239km race from Bergamo to Como.
The Italian was among the strongest riders on the decisive climbs, ultimately finishing behind race winner Paul Seixas and runner-up Enric Mas to claim a second career podium at Il Lombardia.
Giulio Ciccone finishes third at Il Lombardia. Sirotti photo
Lidl-Trek made its presence felt throughout the day, with Julien Bernard representing the team in the early breakaway. The Frenchman helped ensure the team had representation up the road as the peloton tackled the demanding course, which featured more than 4,600 metres of climbing.
As the race entered its decisive phase, Quinn Simmons also went on the offensive, looking to disrupt the chase and create opportunities for his teammates. The American’s aggressive approach provided another important option for Lidl-Trek as the pace increased and the race began to split apart.
Ciccone remained in contention among the leading riders over the final climbs, fighting for a place on the podium in front of the Italian tifosi. His third-place finish provided a fitting result in his final appearance in Lidl-Trek colours, bringing an eight-season chapter with the team to a close.
“It was a really hard race. I was really suffering on the second last climb. I tried to find my pace and the final was really long for me as I was alone without info and it was really hard. But I can be happy about the result and the way I finished this season, it is something to be proud of. It is the second time I am on the podium at Lombardia and my third podium in a Monument. It would be better first place, but I think I had the best result with this feeling so I can be happy.” – Giulio Ciccone
Il Lombardia also marked the final race for Bauke Mollema. The Dutchman, who famously won the Monument in 2019 with a memorable solo attack, brought an illustrious career spanning almost two decades to an end in Como.
A respected teammate and one of the team’s most experienced riders, Mollema leaves behind a lasting legacy, with his Lombardia victory among the defining moments of his life in cycling.
As the curtain starts to fall on the 2026 season, Ciccone’s podium and Mollema’s farewell provides a memorable conclusion to the Monuments for Lidl-Trek.
Content continues below the ads
Here's the Il Lombardia report from fifth-place Brandon McNulty's UAE Team Emirates-XRG:
Brandon McNulty rode to a career-best result in a Monument at Il Lombardia on Saturday afternoon, with the world champion sprinting to fifth place in Como.
The UAE Team Emirates-XRG rider has been in fine form since winning the UCI World Road Race Championships in Montréal, and continued to impress in the rainbow jersey. Although the day’s podium proved out of reach, McNulty battled hard for almost six hours in the saddle to pick up his third top-10 result of the past week.
Ultimately, Paul Seixas of Decathlon CMA CGM dropped all of his rivals on the penultimate climb of the day, with his solo effort making him the youngest-ever winner of this historic race. Saturday’s instalment was the 120th edition of Il Lombardia, and UAE Team Emirates-XRG headed into the race as defending champions.
Brandon McNulty (white kit with rainbows) finishes fifth. Sirotti photo
As such, the team rode a hard pace at the front of the peloton for much of the day, in the hopes of setting up McNulty and Isaac del Toro for success. Pavel Sivakov and Adam Yates were omnipresent at the front of the bunch as the toughest climbs reared their heads, ensuring that no contender had an easy go of things before the finale.
As it was, Seixas proved the strongest in the Race of the Falling Leaves, but McNulty can take plenty of confidence in the final week of racing, with the American hoping to take his first victory in the rainbow jersey.
McNulty: “It was nice, it was a super hard race as always at Il Lombardia. But the team rode strong and we survived in the final, then I did the best sprint I could. I am happy with fifth, it is actually my best Monument result ever so I am quite happy. It was pretty cool to get to wear the rainbow jersey with the white shorts, so I’m happy the legs responded to the new look.
“There are two more chances to get a victory in the rainbow jersey, so we’ll go all in with everything that I have left.”
Team Soudal Quick-Step posted this Il Lombardia report:
Soudal Quick-Step concluded this year’s Monument campaign with ninth place for Filippo Zana at Il Lombardia, ensuring the team secured a top-ten finish in all five of cycling’s biggest one-day races.
The demanding 239-kilometre route from Bergamo to Como brought an aggressive opening, with Louis Vervaeke joining the day’s main breakaway. The Belgian was part of a strong fourteen-man group that built an advantage of more than three minutes, keeping The Wolfpack represented at the front as the race crossed the succession of climbs.
The 2026 Il Lombardia gets started. Sirotti phjto
The increasing pace gradually reduced the escape’s advantage and split the race as the favourites came to the fore. Paul Seixas made the decisive move on Civiglio, riding clear to claim victory, while Zana remained in contention for a strong result behind him.
The Italian crossed the line in ninth place, rounding off a day of attacking racing for the team and completing a consistent season across the five Monuments, with Jasper Stuyven’s podium at Paris Roubaix a highlight.
Content continues below the ads
Team Groupama-FDJ United posted this:
From Bergamo to Como, Groupama-FDJ United experienced an intense day on Saturday at the 120th edition of Il Lombardia. Maxime Decomble first made his way into the breakaway for his first Monument among the elite. Clément Berthet then battled alongside the race favourites, managing to secure a solid 15th place at the finish. Finally, Rudy Molard said goodbye to professional cycling after completing his final race, which was also his favourite.
For part of the peloton, the 2026 season came to an end this Saturday on the hilly roads of the “Race of the Falling Leaves”. The fifth and final Monument of the year, the 120th edition of Il Lombardia once again attracted a particularly strong field on 10 October. With the exception of five-time defending champion Tadej Pogačar, the world’s best riders had gathered for one final showdown on the mountain roads surrounding Lake Como. This year, Como actually hosted the finish, while Bergamo served as the starting point.
Paul Seixas wins the 2026 Il Lombadia. Sirotti photo
Despite a very demanding opening section, the decisive moves were expected to come on the climbs of Madonna del Ghisallo, San Fermo della Battaglia, tackled twice, and Civiglio over the final 80 kilometres. The first battle of the day, however, took place on the slopes of Selvino (10 km at 5.5%), after 20 kilometres of racing, where Maxime Decomble managed to join a strong breakaway of around 15 riders. “We knew a good group could get away, and we had named three riders who could join it: Val, Brieuc or Maxime,” Benoît explained. “We wanted to have at least one or two teammates ahead after Madonna del Ghisallo to support Clément. Having a rider in the breakaway gave us a chance to come over that climb in front, or at least in the peloton.”
The peloton nevertheless kept the breakaway on a tight leash during the first half of the race, with the gap peaking at barely three minutes. As soon as the riders reached the foot of Madonna del Ghisallo (8.5 km at 5.5%), the pace increased at the front. Maxime Decomble was unable to keep up with his breakaway companions, while the peloton rapidly closed in. Before the final kilometre of the climb, the young Frenchman was caught and subsequently was dropped following the first attacks from the favourites. “He wasn’t far off making it over the summit alongside Clément, but it has to be said that he had recently focused more on time trial training for the European Championships than on preparing for Il Lombardia,” Benoît admitted.
The Groupama-FDJ United’s leader for the day therefore found himself isolated in a peloton of around 30 riders as the race headed towards Como. “As expected, it was an elimination race,” Benoît continued. “We anticipated the first major selection on Madonna del Ghisallo, then knew things would explode on the three climbs around Como. In these circumstances, there are rarely any real surprises in this kind of race. Everyone quickly ends up where they belong.” With 30 kilometres remaining, the peloton tackled San Fermo della Battaglia (3 km at 7%) for the first time, with Clément Berthet reaching the top alongside the favourites.
The decisive Civiglio climb (4 km at 10%) came next, and this time the eighth-place finisher at the last Vuelta a España was unable to match the pace. “However, he finished quite well,” Benoît pointed out. “He caught several riders, and he was only about ten seconds short of reaching the summit alongside Evenepoel.” Bridging across would have put him in contention for fourth place within a strong chasing group. However, things unfolded differently, and Clément Berthet reached the second ascent of San Fermo della Battaglia around 20 seconds behind his rivals. He was unable to close the gap and consequently entered the finishing straight alongside three other riders, with 13th place up for grabs. In the sprint, he still managed to secure a very decent top-15 finish. “He wasn’t at his best today,” Benoît admitted. “His legs weren’t as good as they had been at the Tre Valli Varesine, but he still fought incredibly hard to secure 15th place. It’s a result worth highlighting because, apart from Pogačar, the world elite of puncheurs and climbers was there. In that kind of field, getting a major result is no easy task. You have to be at 100%, whereas he was just a little below his best today. It’s still a fine result that confirms his progress and consistency.”
A few minutes after Clément Berthet, a group of around 20 riders also crossed the finish line. Among them were Lorenzo Germani, Valentin Madouas, Quentin Pacher and, above all, Rudy Molard, taking part in his « last dance » at the highest level of cycling and in the Groupama-FDJ United’s jersey. “He was still very competitive today,” Benoît remarked. “Along with the whole team, we gave him a present last night, and he was already very emotional. Everyone was emotional, actually, myself included, having raced alongside him before becoming his sports director. He spent ten years with the team and has had a 15-year career. He has always worked hard and respected the rules. He hasn’t been spared bad luck, particularly in recent years, but he has managed to bounce back every time. He is a model professional. He can truly be proud of himself. And so can we. Hats off to Rudy.”
Here's the Il Lombardia report from Oscar Onley's Team Netcompany INEOS:
Oscar Onley produced a strong ride at Il Lombardia, leading the team home in 14th place in Como.
The Brit completed a solid end to his debut season with the team at the Italian Monument, battling amongst a lead chase group for much of the final run-in.
Distanced on the final climb, Onley crossed the line in 14th as part of a second group of chasers, two minutes and six seconds behind solo victor Paul Seixas (Decathlon CMA CGM).
Oscar Onley headed to the start of 2026 Vuelta a España stage 15. Sirotti photo
Seixas accelerated clear on the late Civiglio climb, opening out an unassailable advantage over the chasing pack. Thymen Arensman had worked to help position Onley at the head of the race as it arrived at its finishing circuit.
Throughout the race, Netcompany INEOS riders would hit the front to help position the pair of Onley and Arensman at key points. Lucas Hamilton came to the fore ahead of the Giovenzana ascent, while Michal Kwiatkowski paced the group in the lead-up to the famous Madonna del Ghisallo climb.
Content continues below the ads
Team Visma | Lease a Bike posted this:
Team Visma | Lease a Bike was unable to cap off its strong autumn with a top result at Il Lombardia. The team helped open up the finale but was ultimately unable to challenge for the victory. Paul Seixas soloed to the win.
In the 120th edition of Il Lombardia, Team Visma | Lease a Bike immediately showed its intention to end its strong Italian campaign on a high note. The team was active in the early stages, positioning itself near the front on the first climbs. This allowed Victor Campenaerts to join the breakaway.
The race opened up on the climb towards Madonna del Ghisallo. Matteo Jorgenson was the first to attack, causing a major selection in the peloton. On the penultimate climb of the day, the group of favourites exploded. Seixas launched his attack and proved to be by far the strongest rider. Davide Piganzoli and Ben Tulett both finished inside the top 20.
The peloton with 100 km to go. RCS photo
“It was a very honest race,” Head of Racing Marc Reef reflected. “Our plan was to try something with Matteo. Louis gave him a good lead-out, but in the end, we were unable to make the difference. The finale was very honest, and it quickly became clear on the Civiglio that Ben and Davide did not have the legs to fight for the victory. Nevertheless, I look back on the past week with a positive feeling, as we have shown ourselves to be a strong team.”
Piganzoli was our first rider across the line today, bringing his first season to a close. “I look back on the season with a very positive feeling. I have made huge strides, and the collaboration with all the riders and staff members has been very good. I am looking forward to continuing to develop myself next season.”
And here's the Il Lombardia report from Team Picnic-PostNL:
Il Lombardia brought the season’s final Monument, with a tough route from Bergamo to Como. The early breakaway formed quickly, with Gijs Leemreize representing Team Picnic PostNL in the group. The breakaway stayed clear for a long time, but its advantage began to disappear as the race entered its decisive phase. With around 30 kilometres to go, the breakaway reached the San Fermo della Battaglia, where Leemreize had to let his breakaway companions go. The rest of the escapees were caught shortly afterwards by the group of favourites. Seixas went on to take the victory, while Leemreize was our first rider across the finish line after a long day in the breakaway.