Gran Fondo Giro di Lombardia
Riding Days
3
Number of Nights
3
Total Distance
~110km
Total Climbing
~2,000 metres
Difficulty
3/5
At a Glance
The autumn colours at this time of year around Lake Como’s shoreline provide a beautiful backdrop to the Giro di Lombardia, the finale of the Italian professional cycling season. The race organisers have changed the course in recent years, with the re-inclusion of what could prove to be a pivotal section of the race; the 2.4km 12% climb of the Muro di Sormano will surely provide a springboard to the riders wishing to take the end of season honours here. Other key features remain, with an ascent of the legendary Madonna del Ghisallo and a rapid finale through the streets of Lecco.
Our base for the weekend is in the beautiful town of Bellagio, at the foot of the Madonna del Ghisallo climb with its amazing panoramic views over the Larian peninsula and Lake Como. Our hotel is a beautiful villa on the lake’s shore, which has been in the same family for almost a century.
The ‘Giro di Lombardia’ race holds a special place on the calendar as the closing race of the European season and often provides a showcase
for the recently crowned World Road Race champion parading his new jersey. Started in 1905, this will be the 106th edition of the event.
The race is affectionately nicknamed ‘la classical delle foglie morte’ or ‘the classic of the falling leaves’ according to its autumn place on the calendar and the stunning autumnal colours the course passes through. The course has changed many times in its 114-year history, but the inclusion of the Ghisallo climb is a critical part of the route. The chapel at the top is dedicated to cyclists and holds much cycling memorabilia.
Tour Highlights
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Asphalt
The autumn colours at this time of year around Lake Como’s shoreline provide a beautiful backdrop to the Giro di Lombardia, the finale to the Italian professional cycling season. This is your chance to join the tifosi for the “classic of the falling leaves”
Tour Highlights:
- A stunning weekend of riding on the banks of Lake Como
- Watch the pros in the final monument of the year
- Ride the Granfondo Il Lombardia which climbs the infamous Muro di Sormano & Ghisallo
Book Tour
€826.00 – €1,480.00
Overview
Il Lombaria - The Race
The Giro di Lombardia – Tour of Lombardy – is one of the ‘monuments’ of professional cycling. The monuments comprise five of the oldest and greatest one-day races. The Giro di Lombardia is the only one to occupy an autumn slot in the calendar, with the other classics being disputed in the spring. Lombardia is affectionately known as ‘the race of the falling leaves’, due to its late autumn time slot. This year, the race has been brought forward by a few weeks, meaning potentially fewer falling leaves, but positioning it immediately after the world championships, so that the riders can carry over the form and fitness they have from the world championships.
The course
The race has affectionately been termed ‘Il Lombardia’ in the last few years, simply meaning ‘The Lombardy’, and the course continues to evolve, featuring new start and finish towns, but always keeping the focus on the Ghisallo and Lake Como at its traditional heart.
Climate & Gearing
Details
What's Included
- 3 night’s accommodation
- All breakfasts and evening meals at the hotel and local restaurants*
- Airport transfers – transfer times to be arranged
- Race entry for Gran Fondo Il Lombardia
- Experienced and local language guides
- Support vehicle to follow rides on the warm-up ride
- Mechanical support / building and packing of bikes
- Detailed digital route files for use on GPS Devices
- Complimentary sports nutrition
- La Fuga welcome pack
*Meals are included up to a specific budget after which a supplement will be applied
What's not Included
- Flights
- Café or restaurant lunches and coffee stops
- All drinks with meals
- Personal Travel Insurance
- Incidental Expenses
- Parts and spares used during the trip
- Tips and gratuities
- Massages
- Bike Rental option available during the checkout
Itinerary
Arrive in Milan Malpensa for our transfer to Bellagio. Once checked into the hotel, our guides will build and help fit your bike ready for two days of spectacular riding. Depending upon flight times, it may be possible to finish the day with a short ride to spin the legs and make sure bikes are set up correctly.
For dinner, we will enjoy a taste of cucina Lombarda and sample a bottle or two of Franciacorta or Valtellina whilst the sun sets over the lake.
Saturday is the Pro race day! We’ll have an early breakfast in order to make our way to the start line in good time. The start is an ideal place to mingle with the riders and soak up the race-day atmosphere. There are plenty of bikes on show for the bike techies as the race cars are loaded up, ready for the off.
After the riders roll out, we’ll transfer to part-way along the race route and get ready for our own ride. To warm up, we’ll spin past some of the smaller lakes that sit south of Lake Como before reaching the final climb of today’s race – up to Vergano-villa.
We then drop down into Oggiono and across the plane to the base of Colle Brianza and around the east shore of Lago del Segrino. From here, we climb steadily up to Asso before climbing once again to the foot of il Muro to watch the riders come through.
Once the peloton has passed, we’ll descend back through Sormano to catch them again on the Ghisallo. As we ride, you may start to appreciate just what it feels like for the riders with over 200km in their legs already as the action hots up with 45 km to go. We’ll finish our ride for the day at the top of the Ghisallo, where we’ll change in time for the race to pass us in its final stages.
As the race passes the church, the bells will ring, and the Tifosi will come to life, cheering on their Italian heroes. We’ll then dart inside a nearby bar to watch the final as it plays out on the television with a bite to eat.
Once the action is over, and we’ve seen the winner crowned, we’ll transfer back to the hotel before heading to a great local pizzeria for a well-earned meal after an action-filled day.
The most interesting and technical end-of-season Gran Fondo will be back on October 9th.
The start and the finish are set in the lovely city of Cantù, in the province of Como, where the participants will receive a warm and enthusiastic welcome.
The first 25 km follow the constant undulations of the roads of Brianza, up to Maglio. The following 7 kilometres, leading the riders to the hill of Sormano, are the hardest yet the most exciting of the race. The last two kilometres of this climb, the iconic MURO DI SORMANO, a totem in worldwide cycling – will be the climax of the race.
Here, the route climbs steeply with an average 15.8% gradient, topping out at 27%. The effort will be tremendous, and someone might have to put their foot down. The writings on the tarmac and the signage at the side of the road will be there to provide Gran Fondo athletes with the experience of a real Pro.
Less experienced riders may take a 2 km detour allowing them to reach the summit along a milder climb.
After a sharp descent diving into Nesso, the route levels out briefly and then undulates again, up to Regatola, where the athletes will tackle the second climb of the day, the GHISALLO.
Gradients are high, but not as steep as in Sormano. The climb is not too complicated, and the route winds its way in an enjoyable landscape. The most combative athletes may grind out the bigger gears. This will be a climb for the strong and smart. The average slope is 6.2% over 9 km, topping out at 14% towards the end.
On the summit, the riders will be welcomed by the bells of Madonna del Ghisallo and by the most famous museum in cycling history.
At the top of the Ghisallo, 70 km into the Gran Fondo, the riders will have covered nearly two-thirds of the route, and the hardest parts will be behind them. A long (nearly 20 km) and broad descent will lead them to Merone, allowing them to rest their legs before the final 20 kilometres, climbing again in short and steep spurts.
After 109 km of racing and 2,000 m in vertical altitude gain, the riders will then reach the finish at the heart of Cantù, to be crowned the heroes of the day.
The beauty of this Gran Fondo lies in its unique route, which takes in two iconic climbs in an extraordinary landscape. A perfect combination of ascents, descents and steep spurts that ensures fun and enjoyment to all participants.
All without forgetting that the day before, Pro riders will be battling each other on the very same roads to conquer the 116th edition of the “Classic of the Falling Leaves”.


This will be a morning for a relaxing breakfast and to enjoy our last few hours in Italy. Our guides will take you on the transfer back to the airport to catch your flight.
Accommodation
Your hotel is in the magnificent location of Lake Como. This is a place of immense beauty and easy to see why so many celebrities flock to this area for an exclusive residence on the lakeshore. Surrounded by mountains almost on all sides, take a dip and revive your legs post-ride. The town of Bellagio sits at the head of Lariano peninsular and has many restaurants and cafes along its typical narrow streets to keep you amused when you’re not cycling. The Bellagio Lido is only a few hundred metres away and owned by the same owners as the hotel. If you fancy a relaxing time then head here and take in this magnificent spot.
La Fuga have been taking guests to Hotel Silvio in Bellagio since 2008. The hotel is a beautiful villa with stunning views overlooking Lake Como. The owner Cristian leaves on his boat every morning before sunrise to catch the fish served in local restaurants that evening.
You’ll receive a warm welcome at this hotel and it’s always a favourite only a stone’s throw from the thriving town of Bellagio. For cycling fans, the hotel is located at the base of the Ghisallo climb which is hallowed in cycling tradition with the chapel dedicated to cyclists found at its summit.