Gran Fondo Lombardia 2023
8th October
Why Book This Trip?
The classic Tour of Lombardy, the Race of the Falling Leaves, finally has a sportive to go with it. Starting in Como and ending in Bergamo, the route takes in the iconic Ghisallo, the 20% plus Muro di Sormano and several other famous climbs of the pro race. Lake Como is the perfect place to end your cycling season. Your host is Giro d’Italia stage winner Andrea Ferrigato.
Spread your payments: Our payment plan is an interest-free payment method where you will have the opportunity to spread payment for your booking.
Warm up rides: We have a short warm up ride on Friday afternoon before a 75km spin on Saturday to have a look at the route and the pro race.
Pre race briefing: On Saturday night our guides talk through the main sectors of the race with tips of how to ride at your best.
Mechanical support: Expert mechanics on hand all weekend or hire one of our bikes. Bikes allowed in rooms at the hotel.
What's Included?
Accommodation
Hotel B&B in Como
Meals Included
All breakfasts
Transfer
Group return airport transfers from Milan (MXP)
Guided Rides
On Friday and Saturday
Mechanic
On hand all weekend
Transfers
Private return transfers from all Milan airports available
Sportive Entry
Choice of start pen, from £80. Delivered to your hotel
Bike Rental
From £140
Pro Race hospitality
£140 Finish Club hospitality
Itinerary
Day To Day
Travel to Como
Please make your own arrangements to arrive at our hotel in Como today. Our team will be available to meet you at the hotel. If you plan to fly then we offer group airport transfers for you, your luggage, and your bike from Milan Malpensa airport at 11.30 today (included with your trip)
If you arrive at any other times, we also offer private airport transfers from all Milan airports (Linate, Malpensa, Orio al Serio) at a supplement. The journey to Como takes approximately 1hr to 90 minutes.
Our hotel
We are staying at the hotel B&B in Como. Your stay will be for 3 nights and will be on a bed and breakfast basis. You will have an early breakfast on Gran Fondo Day.
For the evening meals we will suggest eating as a group at two restaurants nearby where hotel guests get a 10% discount. Il Birrificio di Como – www.ilbirrificio.it, or Pizza Garage – www.pizzagarage.it
What about my bike?
You can bring your own bike as we have planned to transport bike boxes on our airport transfers. Alternatively, you can rent a bike with us for the weekend.
Our mechanic will be available this afternoon at the hotel to assist you with fitting your rental bike or building your own bike after travel. Bikes can be safely stored at the hotel.
Guided warm up ride
This afternoon, we offer a guided warm up ride around the lake. If you’d like to take part, please arrive in Como before 13.00. We aim to depart on the ride at 15.00.
This afternoon and early evening, our tour leaders and bike mechanics are available for you.
| Distance | Elevation | Difficulty | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medium Route | 65km | 650m | 2/5 |
After breakfast and preparing the bikes, we will take you on a supported, guided ride that takes in the route of Il Lombardia. En-route we will watch the riders of the pro peloton as they take on the course.
We’ll be back at the hotel in the afternoon after watching the finish for you to rest and get prepared for tomorrow.
Hospitality at the start and/ or at the finish or a day on the course in an official race car are available to book today at an additional cost. Il Lombardia Hospitality – Sportive Breaks
You were able to see how the riders of the Men’s cycling elite handled the roads yesterday. Today it’s your turn. Ride the 111km with 1700 metres of climbing of the Gran Fondo Lombardia. The main difficulties on the route are the Ghisallo and the Sormano.
We will drive you to the start in Cantu and you can cycle the short distance from the finish back to the hotel.
Race details:
- Start/ Finish: Cantù (CO)
- Total km – 111,2 km
- Ascent – 1700m
- Sign on opening; 06.30am
- Start Time; 07.30am
- Feeding zones: 2 along the route
- Time Limit; 7 hours – by 02.30pm
This afternoon and early evening we’ll assist you with re-packing your bikes ahead of travel and you’ll also be able to return your rental bikes with us.
After breakfast we offer our optional transfer back to Milan Malpensa airport. We will depart Como at 08.00 for flights that depart after 1100am.
More About the Event
Granfondo Lombardia
Italy’s Lake Como is a wonderful place to ride. With a mixture of challenging climbs and routes that run alongside sparkling lakesides and beautiful villages; the sportive complements the race of the Falling Leaves, also known as the Tour of Lombardy.
What better way to end a lakeside race than by enjoying delicious food and toasting with wine that has been produced locally?
What is Gran Fondo Il Lombardia?
Starting and ending in Cantu, cyclists will experience the legendary Ghisallo in addition to the mercilessly steep Muro di Sormano – the two big climbs that have featured prominently in the race through the years.
Although this event is moderately difficult, there will still be plenty of opportunities to enjoy breath-taking views over the rolling terrain.
BOOK NOW
Sportive Breaks are part of the Destination Sport Experiences Group. When clicking on the booking link below, you will be taken to the Destination Sport Experiences booking engine. If you have any questions, please do contact our team [email protected]
You're in safe hands
We have a team of highly experienced professionals who have been organising cycling trips for over 25 years. We are members of ABTA and ATOL so book with confidence.
Plenty to choose from
Did you know we offer the biggest selection of European Gran Fondo and Cyclo-Sportive events.
Spread your payments
Our payment plan is an interest-free payment method where you will have the opportunity to spread payment for your booking. *Selected products. Terms and Conditions apply
Logistics covered
We know the routes, we know the roads. We know how the event works and the best hotels for the start and finish. We organise everything for you; transfers, bike transport, additional feed stops, rep support and more.
