As we reported in Part I, the terrible climb of the Muro di Sormano is back in the route of the 106th edition of the Il Lombardia (formerly named the Giro di Lombardia), exactly 50 years after the 15.8% average, 25-27% max, climb proved so difficult that many riders were forced to get off their bikes and walk. This year the Muro di Sormano, the short but very steep climb near Lake Como, comes after 165km of racing and will be followed by the climb to Madonna del Ghisallo and the short climb to Villa Vergano, where Oliver Zaugg attacked to win the 2011 edition of Il Lombardia.
See this video of the Muro (wall):
Muro Di Sormano from brokenp87 on Vimeo.
The last time the Il Lombardia climbed the Muro di Sormano was in 1962 when Johannes de Roo of the Netherlands won the race. Fausto Coppi is the most successful Il Lombardia winner of all time, winning consecutive race in 1946, 1947, 1948, 1949 and 1950.
The 2012 edition of Il Lombardia will be held on Saturday, September 29, and celebrates Felice Gimondi’s incredible career in the year of his 70th birthday with the start in Bergamo. The race will be bookended with a gala dinner in Bergamo on Friday evening which will be attended by many champions and on Sunday with the GIMONDIBIKE mtb race. Gimondi (far right in photo) said, "I am honored and excited for all that has been organized to celebrate my birthday. Il Lombardia is a great race, one of the five classic "monuments" and who wins here is a champion with a capital "C". I managed to win it twice, in 1966 and 1973. They brought me two great satisfactions and two wonderful memories I carry in my heart."
If you are in Bergamo for the weekend, or in the future, don't forget to visit the only Bianchi concept store in Italy; details previously posted here.
Stories for the Italian Cycling Journal about rides, granfondos, touring, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, racing, etc. are always welcome.
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Great clip! You can really see how steep this is unlike so many times with video. We enjoyed seeing the race live atop Ghisallo in 2011. VAI NIBALI!
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