Il Lombardia Past Winners
Il Lombardia is one of the oldest races in the sport and the Monument that traditionally closes the season. Its history is not just romance — the long pattern of who wins, and the kind of rider that suits its autumn climbs, is a useful frame for anyone weighing the betting.
Eras and lore
First run in 1905, Il Lombardia is among the oldest of cycling's five Monuments and is traditionally the last of them on the calendar, earning its nickname the Race of the Falling Leaves for its autumn timing and the golden Lombard hills. Across its eras it has been a graveyard for spent legs and a stage for great climbers and complete riders to sign off their season in style — the roll of honour is heavy with Grand Tour winners and the era-defining climbers of their day. The Madonna del Ghisallo, with its summit chapel to the patron saint of cyclists, is woven into the lore of the sport itself, as much a pilgrimage site as a race climb. We deliberately frame the greats by their eras rather than crowning any current rider — check the sportsbook for who lines up and how they are priced now.
What the pattern tells a bettor
Strip away the romance and the history is consistent: the riders who win Il Lombardia are climbers and complete riders still in autumn form — men with the engine for a long mountainous day and the legs to attack the climbs above Como when the season has worn everyone else down. That pattern is the practical takeaway. It tells you to weight current late-season form heavily and to be wary of names trading on spring reputation, exactly the logic set out in the race winner guide and the predictions read. The same rider type wins the spring-Ardennes Monument Liege-Bastogne-Liege, while the season opener Milan-San Remo rewards the opposite profile — a useful contrast. Full programme: Il Lombardia overview. New to the markets? See how to bet on cycling.
Frequently asked questions
When was the first Il Lombardia held?
The race was first run in 1905, making it one of the oldest events in cycling and one of the five Monuments. It traditionally closes the European road season and is nicknamed the Race of the Falling Leaves.
What does Il Lombardia history tell a bettor?
The winners are consistently climbers and complete riders still in good form at the end of the season. The practical lesson is to weight current late-season form heavily and be cautious of names trading on spring reputation. Always defer to the sportsbook for the current field and odds.